Routine........

I have my routine here down pat. The orphanage runs a preschool and the mornings are full. I lead the exercises and help with printing of numbers and letters. The kids know Phil and I cant speak their language and also can't discipline them, so they get out of hand often and we call in the nuns. It is getting easier for me to let go of these types of situations and walk away, something that would be very hard for me ordinarily. In the teen study hall period at night, I am very useful and called on a lot. There again things get very noisy and out of hand unless a nun is there. One of the kids asked me solve a dispute and it was impossible in English- they are often over shared items. Finally, one of the other teens said to me “let it go” - so very wise- and I just walked away and threw up my hands and was shortly helping someone else. Very challenging for me, who often has to be a fixer upper.

We went to town the other day as the HL staff were here. All had a dinner out and were hassled a bit coming back to the car in the dark. Just verbal, but Phil has a good attitude about it. Some of the people here are pleased to have the help, many are passive and a few just don’t want us foreigners here. And that’s o.k. No one is a hero and perhaps we make only a tiny difference, such as picking up a crying child for a moment. But they have a right to resent us considering history and the wealth gap so we must accept all of that or not come. There have been many who have made a large difference however, such as Bob Birnbaum and crew of OH Africa, who treat many with lifesaving retrovirals and run the Tsepong clinic.

I continue to be overwhelmed with wonderful and exotic sights sounds and smells.

Some of these I may capture and show everyone back home, but many I can not.

The wonderful baby of the Bytown, three year old Weetumeng, sitting on the debris covered floor of the hot dining room watching the final game of the Africa cup on the TV behind bars, sucking on a long deceased corn cob, so happy. I think the moments I have most treasured have been short and spontaneous, such as reading a chapter to a teen who “ suddenly got it” or sharing an unripe peach with a three year old. I also really enjoy helping with the farm, no surprise, and am making a few good recommendations. Tomorrow I go to Leribe for the day to give a riding lesson, should be fun as the horses and tack could be a bit unpredictable. Back to the orphanage for the long run after that. Wish me luck and hello to all at home.