A night in the village....

For all those of you that have been wondering just what exactly is it like to spend the night in the village with our girls....read on and enjoy the pictures.
Last night was a typical night...The children are all in classes till 4pm and when they come out have lots of energy...so I decided we would get some exercise and so we went to play football...They are gradually learning how to play together as a team...but it generally is very noisy but they get to run around a lot. So after all that exercise they need to bathe....Now bathing is a fascinating process here as the is no running water in the village . All afternoon buckets of water from the well have been sitting in the sun to get warm, the girls stand in the middle of the compound and are lathered from head to toe with soap and then water is carefully tipped over them. I started this last night but was quickly demoted as i was using too much water !! I sometimes forget that water is in short supply here . They then have to rub their entire body in vaseline....It is amazing to watch as the bigger ones scrub their little sisters and grease their bodies....



After bathing we had electricity and so started to watch a film...breaking in the middle to eat food, last night was touwe (made from ground maize) and okra soup , everyone ate with great enthusiasm.

after the film, all were worn out from the day including Aunty Nicky and it was only 8.30pm !! so as is custom we had evening prayers and off to bed.:)

Some were out like a light, others took the opportunity to be doing their homework, all sisters big ones helping little ones it is so lovely to see how they look out for each other in that way without being prompted...

AS you can see it is custom here to put clean clothes on after bathing and then to sleep in them. Getting up in the morning and putting you then put on your uniform for school.

We slept .......until around 4.30 when the cockrels start going and the the church next to us starts ringing its gong at 5am calling people to prayer and so we hear singing etc... and then at 6am its time for our girls to get up and start their own singing and praying for morning devotions :) so an early start...as school starts by 7.45 .... All of the older girls have their jobs to do, looking after little ones, washing plates, sweeping the rooms and compound etc...while I drink my tea :)

Then off to school and a chance for the biggest three to have discipleship with their Aunty....They are so keen and enthusiastic to read the Bible and discuss their faith it is great to help them grow. In the picture below are Elizabeth (left to right) Alherei and Ruth. We pray and then its time for getting in their uniforms and off to school. It is by now 10.30 am but it feels like we have done so much already....the girls have an hour walk to school....no small task in the heat and dust.

So there is a typical night/morning in the village. It is great to spend such quality time with our girls , watching them grow and mature and have such a zest for life in a safe and loving environment.

It really makes me appreciate my shower and toilet everytime i come back to my home and yet i see them with so little so happy that it is very challenging to me ... and to us all

Praise God that He is helping us to make a difference in these children's lives.