08-18-08

Andrew was able to spend some time early this morning studying for assembly on Wednesday morning. Please remember to pray for him as you go to bed on Tuesday night in the states. Meanwhile, Kate was already off to the Manaka home (where she did child care on Thursday). Salome who has a broken leg and is very sick, so Kate was able to help her take care of the three youngest children and do housework. She spent all day there. Kate took them for a walk around half of the perimeter, the walk usually takes Andrew and I about 15 minutes, it took Kate and the three kids 45 minutes. On their adventure, they were "chased by lions and cheetahs", this sped up the walk until the 3 year old realized he had dropped his older brother's matchbox car. Big crocodile tears ran down his cheeks, the four of us turned around and searched for the car but to no avail.

Andrew was able to sit in on the administrative meeting this morning. The Bible study on servanthood ("On Being a Servant of God", by Warren Wiersbe) was very practical and helpful. The two chapters covered this week were on character and perseverance. It was good to hear of the progress made, as well as the challenges, of this past week of this ministry. In the afternoon, Phil Bolthouse and Jeff Wasink would have been very proud of Andrew. He mixed his first bag of concrete. Although he believes it is a little bit different in the states, first they got a wheelbarrow and scooped some dirt in it. Then, they put a couple handfuls of concrete mix into the wheelbarrow as well. Stirred up the contents until the mix and dirt were evenly distributed. They added a bit of water, stirred thoroughly with their shovel and presto chango had concrete!! Spent the rest of the afternoon filling holes and gaps between the top of the house walls and the roof so critters could not get in and make their homes. Andrew will continue this project tomorrow. Although great progress was made, he will start first thing in the morning with it again.

Kate had two more children come home around noon to take noon. She fed them paloney (NOT bologna...it was interesting!), lettuce, and mayonnaise sandwiches. Then, the five children took naps. Meanwhile, Kate cleaned the house and swept and mopped the kitchen and bathroom floors. The three oldest children came home from school soon after and Kate helped them make their lunches (kids here eat lunch when their school day is done, whether that is 12 or 2, this makes for a late dinner for the families) and then helped them with their homework. Later after doo doo (that is what South Africans call nap time!), Kate took the six younger kids to the playground. Andrew joined her and they all had a great time swinging and spinning on the swings. After dropping the kids off, Kate picked up and purchased the bag/purse that their mom had handmade for her. It is such a beautiful bag and she can't wait to use it back home (Mom S will be SO jealous!)!

Tonight, we had dinner with the two American teachers. They also invited two teenagers from the township across the street (their sister, who raises them, helps with child care when houseparents get time off). We had a very nice dinner, great time of fellowship, and played two games of Aggravation. Kate and Sarah the teenage girl won both games, although the second game was VERY close.