May

Lauren and Megan decided to give some money to a "what's it called mom?  A place where kids go who don't have moms and dads?"

 "You mean an orphanage?"

 "Yeah!  An orphanage!  We want to do some jobs to give to an orphanage."

 It never occurred to them that we live at an orphanage, because....

we don't!

I asked them if they knew of an orphanage.  "Yep, the place where Aika and Pili and all of them came from."  I asked if Aika and Pili and their siblings were orphans.  Well, mom, of course not!  They have parents!  "John and Milka are their mom and dad!"  Duh, mom!

This little conversation reminded me of the purpose and promise of Mavuno.  Don't come to visit and ask to see the orphans.  There aren't any here!  You will have to go someplace else, because these kids have a mom and dad who love them, siblings to share life with, and a future that centers around their FAMILY.

Bianca: daughter, sister, friend :)

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I know I write about death alot.  That is only because death is such an integral part of life here.  A more natural part of life, it seems many times.   At our last staff meeting, Malucha mentioned that one of the families we know has lost their grandfather.  This is after losing the other father, an aunt, and a newborn baby, all within the space of about a year.  "Wow--they have had a lot of loss this year," I said sadly.  "Becky, we are all just passing through!" reminds Malucha, gently, matter-of-factly.  Thank you, Lord.  I need these brothers and sisters!

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the "road" on the way in

Where do you get away when you want to get out of the bush?  Further in to the bush!  A couple weekends ago we went with Joel and Lauren Wildasin and their family

 to a little guest place on the edge of the Serengeti.  It is so beautiful and so peaceful there.

Hannah, our fearless leader, makes sure there is a way :)

 The road there proved to be more water than dirt, and I thought you might enjoy seeing the lengths we went to, to get to the serenity of the Serengeti!

planting rice: in the fields, on the road?

Thankfully, Land Cruisers come with a "snorkle," making it possible to drive with water up to the midway point of the windshield without it being a problem.  That is, if you aren't swept away in the croc-infested waters.  Neither were the case this time (crocs, or water that went that high!).

The road from the roof

Looking down from the roof!

At the main road, with a minimum amount of whiplash :)