Friday, March 17, 2006

Victory Highway: Day 7 (Dot Reporting)

Today started with a beautiful sunrise at about 6:30.

We received news that the Tanzania team is doing well and the weather is staying dry. They are looking forward to a fish dinner if Bob has enough energy and time to make it. I’m reminded of the scripture in Ecclesiastes 9 which states “Go eat your food with gladness and drink your chai with a joyful heart for it is now that God favors what you do.”

We had the pleasure of meeting some friends of Jay LaScolea who will actually be at his wedding. Their names are Joe and Rachel Fick. With them were Tyson Domer and a friend of his – Sarah. Both Sarah and Rachel are involved with research in pediatrics on HIV/Aids and are working with other Kenyan pediatricians for a while. Joe and Tyson were very helpful today as they painted the Training Center along with Carol. As you might expect, Carol is doing a wonderful job of redecorating the Training Center while Jean and Mary Lou are sewing the curtains. Jean and Mary Lou have several Kenyan sewing students who are doing really well on the machines. Tonight at dinner, Adele asked Mary (one of the moms/students) what the highlight of her day was and she said it was learning to mend little boy’s pants. Mary with her husband Jonah are the parents to 24 orphans and she is so happy to learn to sew on a machine. (Until now, she's been mending her 24 kids' clothes by hand!)

Wayne went to town today to check out the Kenyan Home Depot. (Wishful thinking.) He had a fairly successful trip but couldn’t find common things like staples or hand cleaner. He is having a good time teaching, though.

Dot had fun with fifty-three third grade children teaching them to brush their teeth. This morning she served chai and jelly sandwiches to many of the children. This is their normal breakfast. Afterward we walked to school together.

The new ELI sign was installed today. It says "Empowering Lives International and Children’s Home." Lots of work is being done.

We’ve wondered why the Africans talk so softly; perhaps I’ve stumbled across the answer in Ecclesiastes where it states “The quiet words of the wise are to be heeded…” and “…calmness can lay great errors to rest.”

Thanks so much for praying for us and for all the support you’ve given. We are truly a blessed team. Blessings to you.

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