25th August, 2019
Dear friends,
Last Sunday afternoon a group of ladies, connected through the local church, visited George’s Place, they kindly bought rice, posho, soap, TP, sugar etc. which helped our supplies and spent some time talking with the boys and giving them advice.
Monday morning Godfrey left for the village for a week to visit his grandparents – he has been working for us helping with the cooking and generally cleaning up so has earned some money – I imagine he will be back shortly. Bob also took Paul on Monday to buy material and Dennis and Derrick to help with the shopping.
On Tuesday Paul measured me and then made a dress which I’m thrilled with. I took him to meet my dressmaker later in the week to encourage him to keep learning and improving, Brenda and her mother gave him lots of tips. He is now busy making himself some school trousers.
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.” Philippians 4:8
We travelled to Gomba this week – Peace, Bob and I took Victor to see his mother and stepfather. She was so delighted to see him as she hadn’t seen him for three years and kindly cooked lunch for us. Walking from the trading centre to her home we disturbed a large Black Mamba snake – Peace was in a terrible state and ran away screaming – unfortunately, we disturbed it again on the way back as this was obviously near its nest. Victor’s mum also gave me a chicken, which is not at all well after the long journey back, she telephoned the following day to thank us for all we are doing for Victor – which we appreciated. Bob managed to give out some jumpers to the village children as well.
The boys have been playing football all week and also went swimming/to the gym to get rid of some of their energy one afternoon. Chantal a young lady from church came a couple of mornings to help the boys with their school holiday ‘package’ work – she has a Bachelor Degree in Child Development.
Friday we took Asaph and Shaffick to Don Bosco to collect Simon Peter and Big Brian (their school reports were excellent), the Fathers were also happy with their attitude towards work. We are planning to send Asaph back with them next term to start a carpentry course – unfortunately, he has had little schooling in the past so will mainly concentrate on the practical; teacher Paul let him cut a piece of wood on a large electrical saw. We, of course, took them out for lunch on the way back to a cafe serving local food – they enjoyed.
Patrick, who works for me still has his wife and children staying here so we found some wellies and jumpers for them which they are really happy with and don’t seem to have taken off all week!
So another week has passed – the boys have all kept well and I have promised if we have no medical bills for the month we will have a treat and visit Freedom City next Saturday. My Work Permit has now been updated, thankfully until 2022 ($750!).
With love and prayers.
Jane
