Thursday Morning/Afternoon

After Wednesdays rain, we pretty much knew what we were in for. HOT, HUMID and HEAVY clay...... After breakfast, we got ready right away for anther day of "digging". We waited and waited.....while waiting, I noticed the kids across the street....well, I can't just sit here.....OUT came the bubbles.....I think I had just as much fun playing with the bubbles with the kids as they did. All I heard were screams of delight. It was a great way to kill time. Entertain.....the kids are so much fun here. They are happy to play with the simplest of things. Their life is simple, and they are happy. I've had other dealings with the kids across the street. I took a family picture of them the last time we were here. I didn't even think about it....I should have brought it down framed as a gift. The baby is now 2. I was amazed. How quickly time flies....how fast the kids grow. We finally decided to walk. (ANOTHER walk...yes!!!) You can see so much more on your feet. Too bad my shoes are killing me.....but I walk...because its what i love to do here!

Along the way is where the old church once was....I finally am able to get a picture of the empty lot....full of weeds. Its sad...we worshiped here...we sang here...we found new friends and family here...and now its gone...all because of "the road". (Did I thank you for your prayers for keeping us safe on this road?)

We finally reach our destination....the site....and NO SURPRISES here. It is so muddy....the mud is so thick, you walk a few steps and your feet get really heavy....the mud doesn't fall off, you have to scrape it off. But no sooner you get the mud off you shoes and take a few steps, your repeating the task. Uggg its gonna be a long hard day.

So we walked up to where there are people. They are bailing water out of the holes....Well, we couldn't just stand there....we joined in the water bucket brigade. It was hot and humid...and the water filled holes didn't help matters. We had to shift several times, trying to figure out which way would work best...where to throw the water...and who was gonna get wet!!!!! Seemed Rachel found herself soaked most of the time..... I'll bet it was cool..... Dave, Ed and Bob switched out bailing... hole after hole....we got the ones that needed more digging uncovered.....then the "pros" stepped in and dug out the mud. Shoes NOT required.... I mean, what would be the purpose of wearing shoes....they get so caked with the mud and functioning would be difficult. We can pick and shovel without them....hey I was for it! My shoes were really hurting my feet....sounded like a good way to go to me......(oh...yeah, darn....can't do that) Well, a girl can dream can't she? I was thinking...a tropical mud bath to beautify the skin......(hey, I wasn't the only one thinking that!!) Even the kids were shoe-less.....and digging.... In fact, I noticed a lot of the kids were really up on helping! The boys were right there with us...It was pretty impressive. Of course they had to take "kid" breaks. (that's where I came in.......) but they stayed right with us...working side by side.

The mud was taking its toll on some of us....(well it took its toll on me all the time anyway....) The humidity, sun and weight of the mud was a lot. Digging is a lot harder than it looks..... When you hit rock here....you don't just dig it up....you dig and dig and dig...then you call for help....and it takes a few guys to get the rock out of the hole.... and it didn't just happen once.

On the second or third day we were here, they decided to build a temporary shed. They used cinder block....and skill....ok, well, it was a skill of putting something together without a plan and not having it fall down. It was an interesting little building....I wonder....would this pass in the US? I don't think so. It certainly won't keep anyone out...I guess its to protect the materials.... I'm not sure....but its there...

This day, everyone took a few more breaks than normal. I think we aren't just hot from the weather, but bodies are giving out. Even Bob, the work horse, had to stop from time to time and take a break. Soon it was time to leave...our rides had arrived. I think the breeze in my face would feel good....

After a long hot day at the site, we had a surprise. Our friends wanted to take us to the river. River? I don't remember seeing a river....but it was here and it wasn't too far. Not everyone wanted to go. So we rode home and those that were willing got ready.