Today started out with electricity and then quickly became without electricity.  Its kinda funny now because when the power goes out, you hear groans and yells from all over the lodge.  At least we could see to eat. 

We did the usual sardine ride in the van.  i missed the picture of the guy selling chickens on the corner.  I'll try to get it tomorrow.

Once we were at the build site, we started carrying the lumber out to assemble the shelves for the library.

Glazing windows continued... we did finally get all the windows in today, as did playing with the kids.  I broke out a new ball today... an orange spiked ball that bounced really good.  That was a hit!

Everyone was busy cleaning the writing off of the windows, moving dirt around the foundation and leveling the final grade... and assembling shelves.

Once the shelves were done, Grant, Cristi and I headed into town to get some items.  Lawrence took us to a VERY interesting part of town.  We had to gather supplies for the dedication which is at 10am tomorrow.

We walked through fish markets, caged chickens for sale, all sorts of stuff... it was awesome, especially if you held you nose.  Just watch the movie Slumdog Millionaire and you'll have a good idea of what this place was like.  :)

Chickens in a crate

 

 I hate to cut this short... but the internet cafe is closing.... 
Tomorrow is the big day, we get to dedicate the library!!!  I will try to post more tomorrow.

Love you all, keep the prayers going and dont forget your conversations with God.

--Dusty

Today you get mostly pictures...

Its a good day when you wake up with electricity!  My shirt and shorts still pass the sniff test, by local standards.  I washed them last Thursday but have been wearing them since we got here.  (Don't worry, I do shower, use deodorant and change my underwear.)

The locals learned to make french toast yesterday so guess what they fixed today! 
We are getting ready to load up and head to the build site as soon as a vehicle gets here... we'll start dragging our shelf parts as we go, trip by trip.

Last night we ate and had our usual game of Catch Phrase.  Its funny what you learn when people try to give clues for a word.  Apparently there was a war called the Veterans War in the US, people in Ireland wear a vest under their shirt, "coin" is pronounced "kine"  there also. Apparently "korchine" rhymes with fortune... and yes, an American college student invented that word.  Its a good thing we all love each other.

I tool several pictures as we went through the day and instead of jabbering, I'll post what we see most days...

These shots are a typical ride to the build in the morning.  

The van load... like sardines.

The local prison... they say you dont want to be locked up here.

The road is littered with pedestrians and bicycles.

Even the dirt roads going to the village...

I'll be you couldn't do this... but they do it every day and this is a small load.  Usually it is firewood, charcoal or sugar cane.

 

Arriving at the village... they see us...

Doug greeting a few of the kids.

I just gave this crew candy... and made some great friends.  Sam is in the wheel chair, the little guy I worry about is in the back row, second from the right.  He's sick.  :( 

It was time to put some shelf sections together and my crew that got candy showed up so Cristi and I had them hammering nails.  We're on Africa time so there is no hurry... the kids loved helping us out and did a really good job.  I have to say, I was proud.  Its good that they feel that they contribute to their school and library.

This little guy needed a little help with the equipment.

Sam enjoys hammering... and does a good job of it.  Fingers clear, please.

This little guy thought he needed to carry the rake.

After building the shelves and letting them hammer... and starting the day with a little candy, these two didn't want to let go of my hand.  It breaks your heart when a little kid walks up to you and grabs two fingers of you hand and is just happy to stand there with you.

All they want is your time, your friendship, and your love.

Glenn and Doug start glazing the windows into the front door of the library, John is working on the side windows...

John "The Irishman"  ( I love this guy.)

Glenn, or "O.G." as we now call him.  (Original Gangsta)  Everyday is a great day with Glenn.

Doug... "Our Doug"  Always a happy and helpful Doug!

The contractor's crew finishing the pointing on the back wall and finishing the cement around the edge.  This allows the water to run off without undermining the foundation of the structure.  They do great work considering what they are working with!

Then we went to the village for lunch...

This is the Invest Resource Center at Makalani Village.

Lunch Inside...

Actually a very good lunch, Nsima, Beans, Potatoes, Greens (not so good), Tomato soup (I skipped that) and local tangerines, that were green, but good!

 

Megan and company have been painting the name on the building.

Then there is time to play...

This is a basketball goal, African village style.  :(

I played ball with this crew today, a ball made out of tightly rolled walmart bags, shown in my right hand.  (Works well)  They would have been happy to play it all day.  I'll admit, it was fun.  We made a good team.

Then, leaving the kids is always kinda hard.

They do the Peace Sign Goodbye...

Hug your kids, and don't forget your conversations with God.


-Dusty