Wow! Can you tell the time is flying! The days are full of things to do and so they are starting to run together. We finished our clothesline yesterday -- added an extension and new wires and rust-proofed it. Took most of the morning as it was quite an engineering spectacle. It passed the "wash" test yesterday, so we done good.
We built a huge scaffold. Tom T. can tell you all about how BIG and WOBBLY it is! We all had the opportunity to climb to our most comfortable height -- which varied quite a bit. Our challenge for the afternoon was to tear off the old gutters above the 2nd story and then add some shiny new metal facia (sp?) and gutters. By the time the kids were ready to come home on the bus, we had almost replaced the facia along one side. Then, we got to the beehive, so we had to think that one through. Yes, the beehive is about 6 feet tall, inside the wall where the L-shaped sides of the building come together. The plan was to "foam" it shut -- but we had to work out the details. 4:30 a.m. was when the plan went into action. I must admit that I went outside and played the on-the-scene (and from-a-safe-distance) photographer -- but, who would want to do the deed without recording it for all to see? So, in other words, I'm sure the team appreciated it! Anyway, the plan didn't work out quite as we had hoped, so today, the bees were a wee bit angry at us. Luckily for us, I think the dogs were the only victims of the bee stings! At last report (10 minutes ago), I think we finally got them all sealed inside. Time will tell, in the morning!
Some of us went to school to meet the kids at school. I think there were 24 of us in the van on the way home!
We decided to take our hosts, Brian and Lois and Louis and Amber (and the kids) into town for dinner last night. Has some wonderful fish and calmari and prawns and other seafood.
Day Four began with our bee escapade, and then we went to visit Morning Star Pre-School and Day Care. This whole facility is dedicated to taking care of the youngest children who are HIV-positive. It was such a happy place, though. Truly amazing what they are doing there. We also got to go "shopping" across the way, where the mothers of some of the Morning Star kids sew and embroider and make jewelry to earn a wage. What beautiful things we saw! (and bought!) Mark asked if someone could notify our banker to add more cash to my account! Oops! What could that mean?
After that, we headed over to Thabong for lunch. We had a sort of traditional meal -- I hear it's called "Walkie Talkie" -- which translates into chicken heads and feet! No, I'm not kidding! We have pictures to prove it. We visited one of the homes and DJ, a 21-year old boy (a former student of Louie) made the dinner -- I think there were about 6 different types of food to eat (not counting the chicken). It was wonderful that they let us come into their homes and share their food.
We also visited the children's cemetery, along the way. Very moving and troubling for so many reasons. And the homes that were small tin shacks all around. Stopped at the dump for a few minutes and saw how the people live there. Quite an eye-opening experience!
Helped with some homework this afternoon and went to bible study with the kids tonight. Mark got to read to the kids and they always enjoy that!
Well, that's about it for now. We'll be off to paint a church in the morning! Another full day, I'm sure!
Thanks for all of you who are following our posts! Your comments are wonderful to read. Sorry this one went on so long . . .
Hi, all. So great to read what you are doing. I know you are all having a great time even though you have many jobs to do. Sounds like the bee escapade was quite the deal. I think I would have been with you, Sara, staying back some distance from the actual activities. I am living everything you are doing since I have been there twice and I can picture it all in my mind. Not so sure I was really excited about the moped but I am sure the kids like it. I just pray all of them are careful. I would love to be there to see all of them. I think about them so much. Tom is definitely able to verify the size and wobble of the scaffolding. I am sure you all were touched by the Morning Star day school. God is certainly in that building there with those people that so carefully and lovingly care for those children. Also, Sara, I think Tom was concerned about having enough money when we shopped at the day school. They do have some beautiful things. Wait until you visit the market before you come home. Tell Mark to be prepared to spend a bit more! Sounds like you are getting a lot done and doing God’s work. Enjoy!!!!!!!!! We all love you and are with you every minute!!!!!!!!!! Love, Dee Dee
ReplyDeleteI will just add an amen to all that Dee Dee has said. We had a meeting at POG this morning to keep this dream for The Pines alive at Point of Grace...Praise God. Be safe and give all our kids hugs and kisses .... those that will let you get close enough for kisses :-)..... from Grandmother "M" and much love to the mamas.
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