Painting, Birthday Party, Dinners Out, Fishing, Raffia Artisans, Etc.

Wednesday, August 12
A shopping trip into Lebamba produced the usual staples plus a new hand woven from reeds hat from Benin for Dave. Now he looks like an African farmer!

Diann finished reading "In Grandma's Attic" to Luke and Sarah in the afternoon before a sleep over here when we started reading "Mountain Born". Both books are part of Luke's second grade curriculum. We enjoyed our multiple rounds of Uno.

Dave's house painting project is moving right along! House Number Four is quite beautiful now as we see it from down at the hospital when we come back from Lebamba. Quite a change on the station!

Had delicious chicken on the grill at Paul and Meladee's home.

Thursday, August 13
A continuation of painting for Dave and his crew in the morning.

The afternoon brought a 40 minute trip to a stream to go "fishing" for new residents for L&S's gallon sized aquariums. We sprayed up heavily and trekked through jungle to reach the 30 foot wide stream which feeds into the Louetsi River. Luke was the most successful fisherman with a take of seven fish. We used some of the Cornell fish researchers nets and felt professional! We also spotted frogs and snails and caught a few of the colorful butterflies which we put into L&S's butterfly carrier for transporting home.

In the station pool we watched as Luke dove to the bottom of the pool and swam with one arm which holding his nose with his other hand. Sarah loves the water but clings to her floatie still. The water was much to cold for them and for Grandpa so we didn't stay long. It was the first day we had seen the sun so we rushed to the pool to enjoy it.

Enjoyed another meal at Coca Cola Restaurant but the popcorn man wasn't set up.

Friday, August 14
Getting closer by the inch to the end of the painting project. The crew has started painting the newly built garage/carport.

An hour and a half trip (passed Mandji church) and we were in a village that has two raffia workshops. The buildings are dedicated to the looms and the artisans. The craftsmen knew we were coming and we ready at their looms because Jacqui had made the connections for us. The workshops both has a fire on the side made from a log that was 4 feet long and about 18 inches in diameter. The fire had been started in the middle of the log and both middles of the logs were burning, The raffia is beautiful and made into table runners. We had to pay the artisans to take their photograph.

Supper with Wendy and Eric for his birthday celebration produced out first taste of local ground beef that Eric had made into lasagna with no mozzarella cheese because you can't buy that in Lebamba. Joanna made her signature Apple Cheese Torte for the occasion. How wonderful to get to spend time with the new opthomologist and her accountant husband who is really an actuary.

Saturday, August 15
Most of the morning was filled with preparations for the birthday party for Luke & Sarah which included all the missionaries, all the residents, and the visitors and all their families - 37 in all. Luke's blue frosting chocolate cake was in the shape of a 7 and was a race track complete with Hot Wheels including one which had run off the track. Sarah's pink frosted number 5 was adorned with pink flowers and sprinkles. Both grandchildren had matching M&Ms splashed obn their cakes. One of the highlights of the party was Grandpa's giant bubble making prowess. Diann learned from the African residents' wives how to make bubbles with her hands. Many of the party goers stayed until 6 PM.

Dave, Diann, Joanna & Keir continue to work on the 1026 piece Norman Rockwell "Doctor and the Doll" puzzle. Luke and Sarah helped in the beginning but our days are so full that they rarely work on it during the daytime.

Sunday, August 16
After a very harrowing drive on the slick-as-ice wet roads through Bamboo Palace, we arrived for worship at Mandji Church. Four trucks were off the road, stuck in the mud. One was headed toward the 50 foot drop off into the jungle ravine. Church was a full house with the largest number of men in attendance ever. We were accompanied by a large drum and a guitar for the singing. Joanna taught Sunday School again and Marley and I were there to support her.

Marley is here on short term mission with her husband, Dr. Bill who is a GI specialist. They are from Dayton.

Had pancakes, eggs and bacon for lunch. Let the record show that Keir cooks eggs. He says he cooks grilled cheese too but we haven't experienced that yet.

Dave & Keir watched Y.E. Yang win the PGA tournament. We stayed up till after 12:30 to see this history making show down with Tiger.