This week was finals week for all Balama school children as classes let out for our “summer break” just yesterday. It also signaled the completion of food give outs to the 2,000 plus orphans and the widows who care for them.
Thanks to your love, the village orphans have the needed seeds to plant their fields and help provide for themselves.
I am grateful for the “break” from my “3 a.m. alarm clock”. The 3 a.m. get up was necessary this week so that the food trucks could roll out and be at their destination shortly after dawn (4:30 a.m.) I love helping the children, but 3 a.m. is a bit early even for this bright eyed, bushy tailed, morning person. Makes for a very long day. (My normal get up is 4 a.m. daily.)
I get teased a lot by visitors because I go to bed with the chickens, but those same “teasers” show no interest in meeting me for a hot cup of tea before my early morning start time. If you live in Balama, then getting up when the rooster crows means YOU’RE LATE!
I’m sitting in front of my little 12 volt fan (run by a solar charged battery) as I write, for it is 92F or 33CINMYOFFICE while I’m preparing this blog. Life is a real blast as November is our hottest month of the year. I am able to sleep in this heat thanks to Eric Dry (before he left) having mounted a small 12 volt computer fan inside my mosquito net which covers my bed. For those who have slept inside a mosquito net in summer, you know that the netting restricts the flow of any breeze. The fan inside the net is a marvelous solution.
WANTTOBUILD A MUDHUTINTHERAINYSEASON?
Build the roof first and then build the hut underneath. This prevents any danger of melting your mud bricks if it rains during construction.
This little hut is for our construction guard who doubles as night guard for 2 of our orphan homes. FYI: The 2 foundations we needed to construct before the rains begin have been completed in record time this week. So we are good to go.
Everyone is preparing their fields for planting. Let it rain Lord!
KIDSBLOWINGOFFSTEAMAFTERFINALEXAMSCOMPLETED
A great crowd gathered at our soccer field Friday afternoon after school let out for the year. No one has to tell you there is a game going on, for everyone can hear the crowd roaring when a goal is made. Around Balama, soccer is THESPORT, and the favorite pastime of our orphans. If you are too young to play, then you yell to your heart’s delight from the sidelines to encourage your team.
I know the little ones love the game for they play their own version of it almost daily during activity time. It’s fun to watch them try to run and kick the ball at the same time. Good thing we have a really sandy field for them to play on as it softens those “missed attempts” as they try to imitate the older kids with a “super kick”.
Walking with 7 month old lion cubs means everyone MUSTFREEZE and stay “in a pack” if they run past you. Never stoop or sit down in their presence as this is a signal for them to pounce and usually bite. Never separate yourself from “the pack” as small or weak “game” is their next meal.No one under 12 years is allowed on the walks for this reason.
HAPPYTHANKSGIVINGTOMYAMERICANFRIENDS!
May your family time be full of love and gratitude for what the Lord has provided for you and your family.
