June 15, 2018
Greetings from Zimbabwe,
Stewart came to the house last Thurs. morning to tell me he was leaving to go to Inyagui. I asked to go with him but he informed me that he was taking the motor bike. I said I would ride on the back. So he left, laughing, to go and get the bike. The next thing I knew Albert came flying in the door saying there was no way he would permit me to ride the motor bike. I thought it was a great way to celebrate my birthday. In the end, Beauty took me in the truck but I rode the last km or so on the motor bike. Albert nearly laughed himself silly when he saw me coming behind Stewart.
Last week was busy with celebrating Birthdays. Cosmos,
Albert’s oldest son, had a birthday on June 13th. My birthday was the next day on the 14th. Mr. Bondeponde had his 57thbirthday on the 15thand Beauty, Albert’s wife had a birthday on the 16th.
Pictured on the right is Stewart with a group of the children at Inyagui. They were just finished with their breakfast. They along with the rest of the student body and teachers gathered in the assembly area for a time of worship. I was pleased to see how quickly they responded to Stewarts questions after Stewart delivered a brief message.
Stewart originally met with only the orphans. However, the rest of the children felt they were missing out on something. So now all of the children and even the staff attend his sessions.
Progress is being made on the clinic. The men digging the foundation should finish today. The individual on the right began preparing the rebar for
reinforcing the footings. Once the rebar is all in place then the inspector will have to come and give his ok, before they can proceed with pouring the footings. I am encouraging them as much as I can but it seems to take forever. It is a big building and there is much to be done. I have to keep reminding myself of this.
The Moringa Building is progressing nicely. The rough plumbing and electrical is complete. The roof is insulated and the ceiling in all of the rooms is sheet rocked. Lights are being installed in the rooms.
Work is progressing on the septic system. Here the top is being prepared for pouring cement. The overflow from the tank will pass through sand filters and flow out into a proposed banana field. I am anxiously looking forward to the digging to be complete and some dirt leveling to take place. It is treacherous walking around the building site. I am so afraid of falling.
Unfortunately, the weather has really cooled. It is good for the workers, but it is not so good for growing Moringa. I am afraid we may not have enough Moringa for processing when the building is complete. I had planned to do extensive training of the women before leaving.
Today was the day that Stewart normally holds a Bible Study class at Inyagui after regular classes are finished for the day. Today, when he returned he told me that he had passed out the cards that I had brought with me from Canyons. He said the children were all smiles to receive the cards from the children. He also gave each child a new pencil. As you can see in the picture, the children were very happy to receive the donations. Thank you Canyons.
This table for the Orphan Home arrived Saturday. It took a crew of men to move it into the house, a piece at a time. I guess Albert figured the children couldn’t destroy this. It will still be here when the house falls down. It is made of the local granite. It is a beautiful table but the benches are cold to sit on. It needs some cushions.
As I close this week’s journal, please pray this week for the many children who desperately need someone to love them. Every day it is a new story of suffering. Some stories are beyond my ability to comprehend. The situation is so desperate in many cases. I feel for Stewart and his job. He is often the first line of contact and then he keeps Beauty informed. I thank God for Stewart. The children are usually able to open up to him. Pray also for Stewart, that God may strengthen him and give him guidance in dealing with the children.
In His Service,
Roberta