Agnes and I have been rather busy the last few weeks. We are leaving to come visit Australia in just over two weeks.
This means that we are busy trying to prepare things for when we leave.
Right now that includes finalizing the school tenders for our tailoring co-op. We have about 3 schools who have said they would be willing to provide us with work. But we just need to finalize and give them samples so that they can officially lock us in.
Please pray this goes well, because the girls work relays on getting a good solid tender to make school uniforms.
I also am preparing Farouk for being in charge for the two months that we are in Australia. Farouk will be managing the spending, as well as the programs running while we are away!
The last few months have included skype lessons, excel budgeting lessons, and how to send files over the internet.
It will make it very easy being able to contact Farouk over skype, and talk to him about the details of everything on the ground.
While we are away, the only programs running will be the tailoring class, as well as the co-op.
The last few months have included skype lessons, excel budgeting lessons, and how to send files over the internet.
It will make it very easy being able to contact Farouk over skype, and talk to him about the details of everything on the ground.
While we are away, the only programs running will be the tailoring class, as well as the co-op.
The Agriculture program is almost finished! We have a bunch of tomatoes that just need selling, and then the boys who graduated will get their own loan, and start a agriculture garden of their own.
We have also been trying to 'put into' the girls who are living with us. We appreciate them and all their hard work, but it can be rather hard to get them to develop new habits.
Farouk and Agnes say this is typical of a village girl, but I think that is a bit of an excuse, and surely they can learn.
This includes little things like leaving the doors wide open at night time (a normal thing in the village) but it means a lot of mosquitoes coming into our house.
Before the girls came to live with us, we never had mosquitoes in our house, and as a result a low level of malaria.
Farouk and Agnes say this is typical of a village girl, but I think that is a bit of an excuse, and surely they can learn.
This includes little things like leaving the doors wide open at night time (a normal thing in the village) but it means a lot of mosquitoes coming into our house.
Before the girls came to live with us, we never had mosquitoes in our house, and as a result a low level of malaria.
We now have many cases of malaria in this house ... and of course when one of the girls staying with us has her children fall sick with malaria, I am the one that ends up having to pay.
We had a big meeting with them the other night about many issues, and again that night, at around nine, I found the front door wide open again.
I have been able to practice my disappointed stern face, when I call them to come with my hand gestures and simply point at the open door without saying any words (this is something I have picked up from my Dad, and all those times he did the same for me haha) But most of the time they just laugh at me and say sorry!
Other issues include them staying up late and blaring the tv or radio very loud! Or banging pots in the kitchen at around 12.00 midnight. All things that Farouk and Agnes are not too happy about.
We had a big meeting with them the other night about many issues, and again that night, at around nine, I found the front door wide open again.
I have been able to practice my disappointed stern face, when I call them to come with my hand gestures and simply point at the open door without saying any words (this is something I have picked up from my Dad, and all those times he did the same for me haha) But most of the time they just laugh at me and say sorry!
Other issues include them staying up late and blaring the tv or radio very loud! Or banging pots in the kitchen at around 12.00 midnight. All things that Farouk and Agnes are not too happy about.
We do know how much they appreciate being able to stay with us though, especial Zaina, who was homeless and taking care of her little boy and baby girl by herself before she came.
Even though the boy has been hard to deal with, and has some serious behavioral issues, he has been improving.
He can be very difficult to deal with when it comes to his tantrums, which he seems to throw out at least three times a day. The fact that he wakes up in the night screaming from night terrors shows that he might have some serious trauma from his past. His home life with the father, when they were still living with him, was not very good from what I hear.
It does get draining though, the amount of crying and screaming babies in the house! We have very thin walls as well, so it is hard for me to get much peace.
This is the nitty gritty parts of opening up your home to the needy and homeless. It is easy to get worked up with grand dreams of being a Mother Teresa, but when it comes down to it, you can find yourself spending a lot of time biting your tongue, and praying to God for patience.
Another thing which has been adding a bit of stress is some serious sicknesses. Agnes has had a very bad illness that has required lots of injections, and I have also been knocked out for about a week with flue/malaria type symptoms.
Being sick only adds to the stress and increases the need for patience. Especially when you have a lot to get done.
Even though the boy has been hard to deal with, and has some serious behavioral issues, he has been improving.
He can be very difficult to deal with when it comes to his tantrums, which he seems to throw out at least three times a day. The fact that he wakes up in the night screaming from night terrors shows that he might have some serious trauma from his past. His home life with the father, when they were still living with him, was not very good from what I hear.
It does get draining though, the amount of crying and screaming babies in the house! We have very thin walls as well, so it is hard for me to get much peace.
This is the nitty gritty parts of opening up your home to the needy and homeless. It is easy to get worked up with grand dreams of being a Mother Teresa, but when it comes down to it, you can find yourself spending a lot of time biting your tongue, and praying to God for patience.
Another thing which has been adding a bit of stress is some serious sicknesses. Agnes has had a very bad illness that has required lots of injections, and I have also been knocked out for about a week with flue/malaria type symptoms.
Being sick only adds to the stress and increases the need for patience. Especially when you have a lot to get done.
The other day I had my wallet stolen as well. All my bank cards where in there, as well as my drivers license and also my Australian sim card.
When I got dropped off at the front of my house the other day, I paid the boda boda man and then placed my wallet in my pocket to go inside.
I realized that the wallet was not there, and must of fallen out of my pocket, about five minutes later. I had a look outside but it was gone.
All the tailoring girls where around so they spent a lot of time searching for it, as did Agnes and I upstairs.
But it became obvious that the most likely explanation is that someone walking along the road saw their opportunity, and grabbed it quickly when they saw it lying on the front lawn.
This is frustrating just before leaving, as it means I am traveling without anyway to access money, and I feel a bit naked without a credit card. It also means I have no way to access my money here, luckily I have a little bit that should last me till I leave.
So all the bank cards have been blocked just in case, and new ones issued. I will have to apply for new ones when I get to Australia.
A bit of a pain, but what can you do! I am always so cautious with my wallet as well! It is a habit of mine to check my pockets every time I come out of a taxi van! or have come from town.
When I got dropped off at the front of my house the other day, I paid the boda boda man and then placed my wallet in my pocket to go inside.
I realized that the wallet was not there, and must of fallen out of my pocket, about five minutes later. I had a look outside but it was gone.
All the tailoring girls where around so they spent a lot of time searching for it, as did Agnes and I upstairs.
But it became obvious that the most likely explanation is that someone walking along the road saw their opportunity, and grabbed it quickly when they saw it lying on the front lawn.
This is frustrating just before leaving, as it means I am traveling without anyway to access money, and I feel a bit naked without a credit card. It also means I have no way to access my money here, luckily I have a little bit that should last me till I leave.
So all the bank cards have been blocked just in case, and new ones issued. I will have to apply for new ones when I get to Australia.
A bit of a pain, but what can you do! I am always so cautious with my wallet as well! It is a habit of mine to check my pockets every time I come out of a taxi van! or have come from town.
So as a result of all these things, Agnes and I are very excited for a bit of a break. We are feeling tired and need some time away.
I really look forward to some time with my family. I also look forward to seeing close friends and having them meet Agnes.
I also really look forward to seeing my church family and being refreshed and encouraged by visiting them.
I especially look forward to some peaceful time by the ocean! I think it will be great to have some quiet time away near the beach, and evaluate everything that has happen this year, as well as the direction I want to see YSU go in the year to come.
I really look forward to some time with my family. I also look forward to seeing close friends and having them meet Agnes.
I also really look forward to seeing my church family and being refreshed and encouraged by visiting them.
I especially look forward to some peaceful time by the ocean! I think it will be great to have some quiet time away near the beach, and evaluate everything that has happen this year, as well as the direction I want to see YSU go in the year to come.
Two weeks and a few days left to go. In between then, we have lots of work to do. I will also be blessed to catch up with the schoolies who arrived the other day. I will have to link up with Joely P and get the team to come and visit the tailoring girls! I will be sure to post photos.
Until then, here are some pictures of Agnes' brothers graduation ceremony, as well as the meal Agnes and I had on our six month anniversary!
6 month anniversary.
A big dish of pork!
Our unattended outdoor daycare center.
One of the darling little babies living in our house with us.
