SO FAR: 2 walls, 2 bookcases, 2 penpals

Dear Friends,

So good to see Josh back on line (even if he is bragging and filling me with envy about his computer access). This is Pastor Kristina writing the blog for yesterday--Wednesday--on Thursday morning AGAIN because my time ran out just before I got a chance to hit send. Does anybody really care? :) Okay, on with the update!

Two walls:
The progress on the nursery is going well! Each day a new crew comes to work on it so it truly is a village effort. The women carry large buckets of dirt on their head and empty them into the foundation. They bring water for the cement. The men mix the cement and mortar, make the bricks, and then place the bricks. Our men continue to enjoy this sweat inspiring task. We are hopeful that the third and fourth wall will be completed before we have to leave.

Two bookcases:
These bookcases are made from wood harder than oak and are cut with a hand saw, planed, nailed and secured to the wall. It is called red wood because of the red color. In short, they are beautiful. By day end there were three of them. One more to be made! We have filled the first two cases with all of the supplies that we brought--all those 800 pounds of supplies. How glorious they look! We brought the principal-headmaster in for a tour. He was most impressed! As was the queen mother of the village and the elders. I invite you to feel the great joy that we felt seeing the looks of delight on their faces.

Two penpals:
We spoke with two of the women today, Mary and Eva, who are both excited to have penpals! We came here with a last minute request from two women from CT wanted to be penpals; now they have them. If you would like to join this wonderful opportunity, let Kathy Craig know. Tomorrow morning Rae Ann and I will sit down with 17 children who the principal will pick, to be penpals with the 17 children who wrote letters. We'll bring them back with us, with pictures! More on that as it progresses.

Other news that's "fit to print" from Awombrew, Ghana:

Yesterday afternoon, we invited some of the children to help us sharpen pencils. The "some" turned into a bee hive of 20+ and the pencils that were sharpened ended up in the hundreds with such enthusiasm that when I went into the room I was literally sucked into the center of the storm of requests for more to sharpen! I wonder if we can all remember such simple joys.

Pen Turning:
Speaking of writing instruments; the training that Jay is doing is going along splendedly. Such great progress is being made by the carpenter and his assistants! Jay is hopeful that today the first pen will be turned! I hope to be able to report that tonight (unless Josh has beat me to the on-line on his supersonic computer!).

Special moments:
I have a new boyfriend. His name is Edward and he is thirteen years old. Well, actually, I thought we were exclusive but he seems to have charmed most all of us here! As we have more time with the children we get to see all their wonderful personalities. There are the funny ones, the demanding ones, the leaders, the quiet ones, the dancers, the handfuls! (Sound familiar?) The little boy with the green ball--he's a handful!

Alberta showed me her home. She is a ten year old girl who had her baby sister wrapped on her back. Prince came with us, too. I was carrying a baby (who would later fall asleep in my arms). We will show you pictures of the homes. Some of you have seen the ones that Jay took. They are small, often made of mud, one or two rooms. Dirt floors. Very basic and yet, somehow enough. I think about that.

So, I think that's all the news for now. I want to beat the clock this morning. We miss you! We love you! We are thankful for your prayers. Our devotions in the morning and our reflections at night have been very sustaining.

Blessings on the journey, PK