ALMOST THERE

YES, WE ARE ALMOST AT THE FINISH LINE COMPLETING THE CRECHE. I HAVE INCLUDED 2 PICTURES TODAY INSTEAD OF JUST ONE TO GIVE YOU AN IDEA OF WHAT THE INSIDE LOOKS LIKE. REMEMBER THAT THIS CRECHE IS NOT JUST A PLACE TO DROP OFF THE CHILDREN FOR THE DAY, BUT A CHRIST CENTERED LEARNING CENTER TO GIVE THEM A HEAD START ON SCHOOL. A FEW MINOR TASKS TOMORROW AND A CLEANING AND WE WILL BE READY TO OPEN THE FIRST OF NOVEMBER AND BE PREPARED FOR THE DEDICATION ON SUNDAY. WE WILL BE OPEN FOR A MONTH AND THEN JULIA AND SHARA WILL BE COMING TO THE STATES AND THE SCHOOLS HERE ARE OFF FOR JANUARY BECAUSE THAT IS THEIR SUMMER.

OUR FIRST STOP THIS MORNING WAS A VISIT TO THE HILLCREST AIDS CENTRE IN HILLCREST. A WONDERFUL FACILITY THAT THE METHODIST CHURCH SUPPORTS. THERE ARE 25 BEDS AND ALWAYS FULL AND SOMETIMES WITH A COUPLE MORE. THEIR WORK IS NOT ONLY WITHIIN THIS FACILITY BUT THEY GO OUT TO THE HOMES TO PROVIDE IN HOME CARE. THERE IS A BRICK WALL IN THE GARDEN OUT BACK WITH ALL THE NAMES OF THE ONES WHO HAVE DIED FROM AIDS--MANY, MANY. THEY HAVE A PLANT NURSERY WITH PLANTS THAT CAN BE PURCHASED AND A GIFT SHOP WITH ARTICLES MADE BY THE LOCALS WITH ALL THE PROCEEDS SUPPORTING THE CLINIC. ONE OF THE DIRECTORS SPOKE WITH US AND GAVE US AN OVERVIEW OF THEIR WORK. SHE ALSO IS A GO-GO (GRANDMOTHER) AND WHAT ENTHUSIASM SHE HAD ABOUT HER WORK. SHE MENTIONED ONE OF THE AIDS WORKERS THAT HAS LOST 9 CHILDREN!!

IT IS AMAZING HOW THE WORD GETS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY ABOUT US WORKING AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER. EVERY DAY MORE AND MORE CHILDREN SHOW UP AFTER SCHOOL. TODAY FRAN HAD ABOUT 50 CHILDREN IN THE CENTER TO GIVE A DEMONSTRATION ON DENTAL HYGENE AND HOW TO BRUSH YOUR TEETH PROPERLY. WE BROUGHT TOOTHPASTE AND BRUSHES WITH US.

TOMORROW IS FRIDAY AND WE STILL HAVE PLENTY TO DO.

SALA GASHLE (STAY WELL)