Precious Time

Thanks for all your comments, it is so encouraging and uplifting for us all. It's Thursday lunch and hopefull, God willing, Martin and Dave will be joining us around 5.30pm - what a saga! Yesterday we actually got to go to the beach and paddle in the Indian Ocean which was a real treat. Last night we had another visit from Roland and his mate who climbed in and ate the coconut Pastor Bonga had bought us yesterday! It is a joy to see how the conditions have changed here for the boys and for visitors, it seems quiet without the boys at the actual centre here but so much better for all concerned. I saw the old building downstairs where they used to sleep on my last visit, the showers, toilets and food have all improved and it makes it all the more pleasant for this visit. We visited Dondo this morning to see the babies, which has not changed much since my last visit, unlike Inhamizua which is a joy to see the vision now a living reality. In Dondo they have tiled showers and loo but still no running water, there is a well they get washing water from but for drinking water they have to walk over 3 miles for fresh water in dry seasons. The smell was of amonia and babies have no proper nappies, i held a beautiful baby girl and was told she was wet, which i already knew, but could not bear to put her down, it was really hard. Compared to most orphans they are so lucky they have proper beds, tho not enough and they are fed and cared for so well, hopefully they will soon be able to afford running water there and are desperate for a new roof as it leaks during the rain. However, the love the staff give is overwhelming and although they have no material posessions and are lacking many things, they do not lack love from those who are there to care for them, i am in great awe of those helping there, they are truely selfless.
I was sat on the balcony reading early this morning, watched another accident outside they just hit each other and carry on!! What a joy to get up in the sunshine and have time to read sitting in it's warmth, i braved the cold shower then dried my hair in the sun. I laughed as 'junior', a little boy here, bathed on the veranda and splashed and played with bubbles from the bucket of washing next to him, such joy transcends all language barriers and is just pure fun, like balloons, pulling funny faces, silly noises, splashing water, it is all so simple and basic here. I try to explain what it's like back home, they laugh at how fast us English walk and it's true even tho we were in no hurry we dash along! It reminded me of a line from the Shawshank Redemption when Brooks came out of prison after about 30 years and he couldn't cope, he said "The world went and got itself in one God-damn hurry", being here makes me realise more than ever how i often miss out on the precious gift of time, I like African time, if feel quite at home here.
We havn't heard from Martin so trust that no news is good news and he will soon be joining us later today, Please Lord!