May 28, 2009

May 28, 2009

We are sorry – we know we haven’t blogged in a while. We have been very busy -- Ray’s father died, Bishop Stephano left for America the other day and we were helping him get ready, we’ve been purchasing food and other supplies on a daily basis for the orphanage, we’ve been taking kids to lunch and then buying them shoes, we’re working on a proposed layout of the new orphanage property, the elections had us working with extra security… The list of reasons why we haven’t blogged lately goes on and on.

But know that we are ok, the elections are over and everything was peaceful.

We’ve been busy since we hit the ground again. We’ve taking kids to the hospital, run errands and helped feed the kids. We’ve been out to the new orphanage site several times to take measurements and take pictures. Ray is in the proposal stage of designing the new place and is taking it quite seriously. He will soon start working with contractors to get quotes on building a wall around the property and building a small house for a watchman. If we don’t have a person on site at all times, supplies with disappear.

We have taken several of the kids to lunch and to purchase shoes since we returned. The other day, we took four of the older boys to purchase shoes and socks and to lunch. One of them told me he had been dreaming about this day for quite some time. One of the other boys said that this was a great day for them. The kids at the orphanage need so many things. Two of the boys who were with us, told us that they do not have pants (they were both wearing shorts). One of them told us he does not have any shirts (he is borrowing clothes from friends). We told them that we were only purchasing shoes today. We still have most of the kids who need shoes, pants, decent clothes, underwear, blankets, etc.

It is the beginning of the cold weather and this morning it was 65 degrees when we woke up. Brrr, it was chilly. I was cold in my house, in my bed under my warm blanket and under the mosquito net. I can’t imagine how cold the kids at the orphanage are. Some of them share a blanket because they do not have enough for each child to have one. We purchased a blanket for each child before we returned to the US in March but more children have come to the orphanage while we were gone so we bought more blankets so we can ensure all the kids are warm at night.
Life is good here in Malawi. As a matter of fact, life is very good here……more later.

Thanks for all your prayers and support.

Blessings to you!

PS – We purchased ½ slips for the girls and belts for the boys. This picture is of Ray distributing belts to the boys. Were they ever a hit!!

The other picture if of some of the girls "goofing around". Mphatso, Miracle (the Director's daughter), Sarah and Chifundo.