MCC Bangladesh mini-reunion

What lucky people we are! A whole group of Ramont's former colleagues from his MCC Bangladesh days came from Washington, Kansas, and the Cities to visit us over the weekend. The photo above shows the two people - Joel Ward and Nadene (Sawyer) Gurule - with whom Ramont spent all four years living and working there. Joel now is married to Tabby (with kids Helen and Baby Jack, as he is known around our house), while Nadene is married to Michael. We are also joined by Clifford Dyck, who was their boss for their last year in Bangladesh; he is married to Marlene Ewert and their son Nat came along too. Marlene's Ewert clan was meeting separately in this area for the weekend, so they were in and out.

We had a really, really good time.  Ramont should really write his own reflections on the reunion, but since he probably won't, I'll just say that my favorite part (besides the food and campfires) was hearing Ramont's one-part stories come to life by three more perspectives. What a life they had there!

We actually just sat around most of the time, but there was also some badminton competition (Nat, Marlene, Cliff, and Joel).

Ramont made some Bolivian-style giso over the fire (Ramont, Nadene, Michael, Joel).

It seems that Father's Day also took place over the weekend, but we kind of forgot about that. Ramont really is a #1 dad, though.

We also tried our hand(s) at rock-picking. Here we get loaded up at my folks' place with the John Deere "A" (Nadene, Joel, Jonathan, me, Ramont).

The workers arrive: two country mice and their city mouse friend (Jonathan, Anna, Helen).

 On the trailer, heading for the field.

Nadene was clearly the champion rock-picker, with speed, energy, and enthusiasm never really seen on this farm before (at least not for this job). Joel wasn't too bad either, though the rest of us just kind of hung out on the trailer, or tractor.

 Snack time.

Hanging out on the trailer.

Here Nadene makes some dhal to go with the curry made by Tabby and yummy extras brought by Cliff and Marlene. The last evening we had super delicious chimichangas made by Michael.

Seems like we were eating most of the time, and all of it (except breakfasts) outside. Not sure what Ramont is threatening Nadene with here...

On Sunday we attended the outdoor worship service at Mountain Lake's annual town festival called Pow Wow. It was a gorgeous day, and a cultural event in and of itself (Michael, me with Anna, Ramont with Jonathan).

More of our group (L to R: Cliff, Marlene, Tabby with Jack, Joel with Helen).

Getting a little tired of all the commotion? At least they're sticking together.

Jonathan, Anna, and Helen holding down the kids' table, while Jack cruises happily around.

And here they are: Ramont, Nadene, and Joel - 13 years after their first meeting. Next stop: NW Washington in three years.