Mar 19th - Sweet rain...

Well, it finally happened! Yesterday (Sunday) afternoon about 2pm it started raining...and it rained and rained (about 4" in an hour). People were rejoicing here - some had planted their crops several weeks ago when we had a little rain and have lost all their seeds from the dry weather (there is no irrigation here). So, now after one more good rain, everyone will be able to go out and begin planting. The rains usually start by the end of February, so this is quite late and many will run out of stored food before these crops are read. Because they are at subsistence level, they will be unable to purchase food. So, everyone is rejoicing that the rains have finally come. And, for my little selfish part, I'm glad because it has gotten cooler. I actually used a sheet to cover with last night.

We are now on our 28th day with no electricity. I've stopped going to the electric company to complain - they promise, but I've found they are just placating me. Oh, well... The generator I bought 4 months ago for just such occasions has broken down for the 11th time. Gotta love flashlights and lanterns!

Oliver is doing well now. You'll remember we had to take her on an emergency basis last Monday to the hospital as she was having a seizure. She has been on malaria meds and now anti-seizure meds and is doing quite well. Lisa has been sick, but Mary (our nurse) put her on a "drip" to give her more liquids and she is doing well - apparently dehydrated. And, she's a really tiny little girl, so we will be encouraging her to drink more.

Last night, I was down visiting the kids and heard Charity screaming. I went to check it out and, after getting her calmed down, found out that Moses had bitten her finger. (Now, of course, knowing Charity, there is more to the story, but...) I called Moses over and said, "Did you bite Charity?" He looked up at me, smiled, and said, "Yes!" with all the glee a little boy can muster. So hard to muster any corrective stance or words when he's so adorable!! But, I said sternly, "Moses, we don't bite here. You may not bite anyone. If you bite again, I will spank you. Do you want me to get a stick?" To which he replied, "Yes!" Oh, the joys of parenthood...

Some of you have asked what things I want to bring back for the children and the ministry here. Here's a list of some of the things Rogers and I have come up with. If we get more than I can carry back, I will leave some for the next team to bring.

• reading books for up to 3rd grade level. As much as possible, we want to stay away from American-looking things, but it will probably be inevitable. So, if you have some we can bring back, that would be great. We will put them in the school library. (Please, no books on American history - not really applicable here!) Also, paperback will be the easiest to transport because of weight.
• Small, durable toys that the baby class (preschool) can play with during breaks of the day. We have given them stuffed animals, but other kinds of things would be great. Remember, the lighter the better for transporting here. I have some Duplos that some of you gave last time, and those would be great - there are not enough for them to play with at this time. 
• a couple (ONLY A COUPLE!) good flashlights and extra batteries for the parents (Monicah and Guster) to have at night when there is no power - like right now!! - when they need to go check on a child. The flashlights and batteries here are not durable or consistent in their output. 
• fine-tipped permanent markers
• containers for the bakery for transporting goods - need to be airtight because of bugs
• a small digital clock that will stick to the podium at church so we can keep time (they always borrow my watch - they call it "the church watch") 
• some Bibles for our leadership Cornerstone kids. There are 9 kids in this group at present. 
• some Bibles for church for those who can't afford them.
• labels that for the computer and printer that we can use to mark bakery goods. I am presently labelling (by hand) about 150 items every week. Would love to be able to do it by computer! 
• newborn baby clothes (gently used is fine)

Okay, I'm sure there will be other things, but there you go. Please let me know if you are planning to get any of these things and I will put the word out to everyone so we don't end up with 400 fine-tipped markers ;).

One more thing - something I learned this week on Thursday while baking. Monicah couldn't come and help me that day due to not feeling well, so I was all alone. I was cutting the scone dough with a very sharp knife when out of my periperal vision, I saw a weird bug climbing up my right arm (the same arm that was holding the sharp knife.). So, not thinking, I swatted at the bug...and pierced my left wrist at the same time. Happy to report the bug was gone...not so happy to report that my left wrist now has a hole in it. Took some time to bleed, but then could hardly stop it. Lesson learned - don't swat icky bugs when holding sharp knives.

The 2 pics this week - first is Eyalama and his mom, Loy. He was dedicated last weekend. One of you gave the onesie he has on - thank you! Loy is a Sunday School teacher and has 3 children at our school. Eyalama means Thanks be to God. It is a word from Lugisu, her native tongue.

The 2nd picture is of Moses last week while eating breakfast. Doesn't he look relaxed with his leg up? As he was eating his g-nuts (like peanuts), he would occasionally touch the bottom of his foot (please note how digustingly dirty it is!!), then use the same hand to put the nuts in his mouth. Children!!

Okay, I love you and thank you again for loving me, Rogers and his family, the children and our staff...oh, and the people at the church. We all appreciate your prayers, thoughts and support in so many ways. I will be there in a little over a month and hope to see all of you. The schedule is coming together and as soon as it is a little more firm, I will let you know where I will be and when. Have a great Monday!

Laurie