Work Day 3 & 4

The past two days, July 21 and 22, we have found the greatest need is to prepare the floor of the orphanage and applying preservative to the roofing wood.

Monday began with runs to a stream bed to obtain sand which will be made into concrete for the orphanage floor and window lentels. It ended with a 9 p.m. delivery in the dark of the wood.

In the afternoon some of us slashed grasses and small trees from the newly planted orchard that is 1.5 acres and has over 120 seedlings.

There are over 30 different types including 4 different mango types, beechy, lemon, guava, apple, mulberry, goosberry, many banana. These will feed the orphans once their building is done!





Kelli Shaver has a wonderful talen for artistry, and she has painted an intricate outdoor scene on Jako and Amber's private restrooms near their permanent tent.

Shawn Potter found this little friend in the orchard - a chameleon!

We worked by flashlight at 9 p.m. to unload the truckload of lumber with the assistance of Fanwell (the orphanage caretaker who lives adjacent to Jako and Amber).

Tuesday, we continued to excavate even more baroche for the orphanage floor substrate. In some places we must put in a full foot of baroche to reach the proper level for the subsequent concrete floor. This has proven to be the most laborsome task in completing the orphanage, and we are applying all available personnel to it. It may take all week to excavate enough of this tough, stubborn baroche material out of the ground which is extremely difficult.

We are applying preservative thinned by kerosene (called parafin here) to the wood for the roof. This is the best defense against insects especially termites. We first had to restack the lumber from the night before and then the painting could begin

Picture is Richard and Brenda at the end of the day painting the preservative, and our visitor from Star Wars (no, it's just Marissa!) taking a break with her surgical mask and water bottle.

Both evenings after dark (which begins almost suddenly at 6 p.m. so our meals and showers are mostly in the dark) the group is providing their testimonies and practicing songs for this Sunday's church service. Jim Faison will be leading all three songs and Amy Tromba has a solo accompanied by Ed Windhausen on harmonica. Jim's songs are spirited black gospel songs that we'll sing a capella and by memory; we know the congregation will enjoy singing these fun songs.