We were so happy this morning when we heard the sanitation truck coming down the lane! We really did not think that they would come back today even though they promised. Steve had just finished chiseling a 6 inch hole in the side of the tool shed that sits on top of the septic tank. We hated to make the hole but we had no choice if we wanted the rest of the septic tank drained. They pulled 2 more loads today but at least this water was not as stinky because it was just grey water from the showers and sinks. The men told us that they have never seen the septic truck “move” on Friday before because it is their day off. They laughed and pointed at me and said, “If not for you; we would not have worked today!” Yesterday I begged them, “Please do not fail me!” We made it well worth their while to come on their day off. Not only did we pay them more per trip but we gave them a hefty tip. They were all smiles when they left. While they were here Red came to check on their work. He knows a man in Tamale that is “not afraid of poop”! He said he would call him if we needed him too.
On our way to town this morning we stopped to buy handmade rakes for Nazo to rake leaves with. The lady that sells the rakes also has a charcoal oven and makes meat pies. She had just taken a batch out of the oven so she gave us a couple as a gift. They were piping hot so we bought 10. We then gave a couple to Gomda when we dropped off the hose and a couple to Red when we drove past his welding shop. When we got back to the mission house Timothy and Nazo were busy painting so we gave them some too. The meat pies are made from pie crust and they are filled with sardines, corned beef or tuna. These were made with tuna, bell peppers and onions.
This afternoon we covered a piece of plywood with very thin linoleum type material. We never use the bathtub in the master bath so we put the plywood on top of the tub. Then we put a small bookshelf on the plywood so we would have a place to keep extra toilet paper, cleaning supplies, shampoo etc. I think it looks very nice. I was so tired of cleaning a bathtub that no one ever used. I remember my grandmother put plywood on her bathtub because they never used it; she added a small mattress and made a bed. I remembered Mimi fondly while we were working on the project.
This morning a husband and wife from the church at Tamanbyia came to visit us. They brought their 3 month old baby boy. The mother was worried because the baby was crying a lot and she was afraid that he was hungry. The baby was fat and fine; Steve talked to them a long time. We gave them baby clothes, hat and a baby blanket. They were pleased with the gifts. They invited us to come and visit the church on Sunday.
Keep praying for us and for the work.
In His Service,
Steve and Kandie
