January #2

This week has been wonderful. The kids have been working hard to get the garden weeded. It is tough work, but they did a good job. After that it was time for holiday. So our numbers are pretty low right now. On the girls side we are left with only the babies and about three older girls. So, we staff are getting a little bit of break! It is also really good to have the other "boot camp" staff back. It definitely spreads the work around.

We have been having some trouble with power these days, because of the rain. And when the power goes so does the well. You have water until the tank empties, but when it does, the water is finished and you have to walk for it. On one of these well-outs I decided that I was going to go and be really "African." I had my 5 gallon cement bucket for my head, and then a smaller 3 gallon bucket to hold. Then Katie was on my back and I headed out. I guess I didn't realize how far away the well was, but by the time I got there (with empty buckets) I was tired. So I sat for a little bit and filled my buckets. Then it was time to leave and I was dreading it. I got my 5 gallon bucket on my head, and immediately regretted bringing the second one, not to mention the 14 pound kid on my back. I got half way back with a lot of shifting and stopping and decided that this bucket on the head thing wasn't working out for me. I can do it for pretty long when I have 2 hands to support it, but with only one it was kinda tough. So, I took it down and started to do the "penguin walk" with both buckets down. I tell you, I am not sure how far it is (only like 800 meters, I just asked), but good grief, it feels like 35 miles. That day I made one more trip (I had a lot of washing to do) and took two small buckets, and no baby!! I definitely learned my lesson that time. No matter how African I feel, I will never be as strong as those people.

Thank you for all your prayers!
In Him,Sarah