Another Day’s Work

Thursday, October 25, 2012

So what does a work day look like here in Macha?  Dan and I get up early while it’s still dark and get started and we don’t stop until after the sun sets.  Midday, we usually stop for lunch; and only today did I need to lay down for a short nap (for the record, Dan did not!)   After lunch, the five of us: Gil, Ronda, Greg K, Dan and I did a “walk through”. We went through every room in the new building and took note of everything that still needed to be done yet. Most of that will be completed by the workers that have been hired on. Thank you, Valleybrook Church for your support. Your offering is paying these day-workers to paint inside & out, put up ceiling tiles, tile the bathrooms and clean & polish the floors. 

Dan & I were excited to finish connecting all the outside fixtures, water pipes and sewer pipes today! It’s good to actually complete a project. We have found that since the water pipes had been lying dormant for a year, many were broken and had to be replaced. Another big job will be to clean out all the interior fixtures as a lot of dust and dirt has settled in them; its amazing that before they have been functional they are already clogged. We will be working to clean those and get clear, clean water flowing through them.

Me along with Wize, Weston and Elifer.

Today, Ronda outfitted our three kids with new uniforms and shoes. They came after chapel time to be “sized up”. Immediately after school, Weston, the first grader was knocking at the door to pick up his bag of clothes! He was pretty excited. 

We want to say a big THANK YOU out to those of you who donated uniforms & gifts: Crestview Academy, Missy, Jakob and Cora Vircks, Abbey Munz, Michele Dostal and Discover Wisconsin Television staff;  along with a little help from Savers and Goodwill. Because of you, we brought over 100 polo shirts, 75 pairs of pants, 25 pairs of shorts, 22 jumpers or skirts and about 45 pairs of shoes. These clothing items will be inventoried and go into the storeroom under the watchful eye of Grace, the house manager. As children outgrow or wear out their clothes and shoes, Grace will make sure that they have what they need.

Thank you for all this!

Grace, with her jewelry gifts.

I haven’t had much time to connect with the boarding kids as our work projects are demanding much of our attention. By the time we return to the house, the kids have eaten, showered, had nightly devotions and headed to bed. I have gotten a chance to see a couple of familiar faces and give some hugs. 

Kathy tells me that many are expressing to her how much they enjoy reading what we are up to, so I’ll just keep sending photos and news as it all develops. Thanks for your interest in this incredible work to help some of Africa's most vulnerable children receive an education (that means a future) and live in a loving home environment.

New clothes for Weston & Wize

Keep praying for the work to be accomplished at a rapid pace, that it will be done well and that each worker will take pride in what they do. We have been thrilled to see the contractor as well as the hired laborers working long and hard hours alongside us—definitely an answer to our prayers here.

Grateful for your partnership,

Greg, with Dan