We had barely finished our walk this morning when the first mason appeared. Not that I blame them; if I had to work in this heat I would want to get an early start! The high temperature today was 114 degrees with a heat index of 126 degrees.
Before the Child Center opened we went to town to buy more cement. Later in the afternoon we had to go back and buy more. After Steve got all the supplies the men needed he went to town to pay the Withholding Tax. Mr. Iddrisu went with him so he could pay the taxes on the employees. It took them longer than expected because we had not figured part of the Withholding Tax correctly. We figured them at 7.2 % instead of 7.5%. Steve had to sit and fill out new forms.
Everyone is gorging themselves on the mangoes. This is the first year in about 5 years that the big mango trees have really produced. We spent lots of money on spray and a man to spray the trees. We really thought we were going to lose the big mango trees that are on the property. Every time the masons take a break they scour the trees for ripe mangoes.
The metal thing Red made for us to cross the gutter at the end of the lane is not holding up well. It has begun to sway in the middle. We stopped by his shop yesterday and told him that he was going to have to rework it and strengthen it.
We finally got the green truck back. Gomda had to send to Kumasi to get a new water pump. Steve also had him re-weld the truck bed back onto the frame. These awful roads play havoc with the vehicles. It is hard to imagine the abuse the vehicles have to withstand when we take them to the bush. We have been hauling the building supplies in the old van.
Thank you for all you do for us and for the work. We appreciate the help.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
