We took the sump pump out to Kulkpeni first thing this morning so that we could pump the water out of the toilet pit but they had no electricity. Timothy Niligrini said that it went off last night. They said they would call us when it came back on but we did not get a phone call so we presume they are still without power. The heavy rain that we got yesterday afternoon and last night caused some of the dirt that the diggers piled on the sides of the pit to fall back in. That will have to be removed before they can cast the floor. The mason tried a sample batch of blocks to see how well the gravel from the pit was going to work. The blocks look really good and they did not melt in the rain; hopefully they will start seriously molding blocks tomorrow. The mason said that today they were going to finish putting the cement cap on the top of the wall just to protect the blocks from the hooves of the goats and the children trying to crawl over. The cement cap is much stronger than the block. They are also adding a decorative element to the blocks at the gates. Steve took the saw out again today and cut the branches off a mango tree that one of the neighbors planted that is too close to one of our buildings and the branches are rubbing the roof. While we were out there, we also dug up the church bell and pole; it was obstructing the ability of the big dump trucks and the water tanker from getting through the big gate onto the property. We will replant it in a place that is out of the way.
One of the mothers brought freshly dug peanuts (they call them groundnuts) to the Child Center this morning as a way of saying “Thank You” for the help the Child Center has given in the care of their child. Isn’t that sweet? People are so kind and grateful for the little things. The peanuts had not been shelled. We had Amama wash and boil them. We then shared them with the workers. Everyone had a nice treat this morning.
Steve has been working on the audit for the Child Center. We will have to turn the accounts into the auditor before we leave Ghana in December. Steve is just getting a head start on the paperwork.
I have been trying to get to the sewing machine all day but it is just not working out the way I thought that it would. I have not even turned on the machine. I do have a bunch of blocks pinned together which help immensely when I do sit down at the machine. Wishful sewing! Ha!
Please keep us and the work in your prayers.
In HIS Service,
Steve, Kandie and Skeeter
The Monkeyshines
The boiled peanuts are back! I have not had boiled peanuts in a long time; probably a month. I love them! Mom says that they give you “gas” because they are actually of the legume family so they are really a bean and not a nut! Well, who cares if you have a little gas? My grandma Lillian Taylor used to say, “there is more room on the outside than there is on the inside!” And I agree completely! I am not sure Mom knows what she is talking about anyway; sometimes she just gets these strange ideas in her head and she believes them! Gas or no gas I am going to eat boiled peanuts!
Today was a good day; I did not have to go in “time out” not one single time! It is not that I did not put my mouth on Mom or Dad, it is that I did not actually bite them. Sometimes I just like to taste their skin and see what will happen! Sometimes I get the “Uhn! Uhn! Skeeter are you trying to bite me!” and I quickly look remorseful!
Eat More Peanuts!
Love, Skeeter
