Day Twenty-Four

Day 24:

This post was going to start out with a description of bringing Zenabu and Ernestina to the internet with us this morning, but the power went out an they aren't with us this time around, so instead I'll just include the picture:




We've been trying to carry the kids on our backs pretty often, both to bond with them and to balance out the pounds of rice and palm oil we eat each day. It's a lot of fun, but we've found that there are dozens of women who are very excited to show us how to carry a child who's fallen asleep. Unfortunately, there are about as many methods as women, so we'll probably keep getting that help for a while. It's sweet, though, and we're getting better (especially me, since Megan already had a summer of practice). We even got our first compliment today from someone outside the orphanage ("Obroni! You carry them well!"). That's an exciting thing to hear, haha.

In other news, which a few of you already know, Megan and I decided last week to move down into the orphanage house to spend as much time as possible with the kids. Wee! Monday was our first night there, and we eat breakfast and lunch with them, as well as just helping out with random chores throughout the day. We still eat dinner at the volunteer house, though, because we couldn't fully give up Nancy's cooking. Megan shares her bed in the house with the beautiful Rahael (age 7), and I'm in the boys' room with Ezekiel (also age 7).



We were sort of afraid it would be disruptive for the kids to have us down there, but they hardly notice. :) Since Monday, we've had the pleasure of learning how to draw water from the well and carry the buckets on our heads, which, like tying babies, takes a little practice. I spent most of that first day soaking wet down the front of my outfit. It's nice that it doesn't really matter here. We're also finding a lot of ways/places to get quiet time, so that's been another good part of the move.
All in all, it's been a good week, still learning so much about living here and trying to be as helpful as possible. The weekend shouldn't be too eventful as far as we know, but of course we'll tell everyone if there's something super exciting, wild, or crazy that goes on (or maybe all three!).

Keep praying for our and the kids' health, as sicknesses pass along pretty easily when meals are shared between 25 or so unwashed hands.

We love and miss you guys (and definitely appreciate all the comments). We'll post again very soon.

Peace and blessings,
Megan and Chelsea