June 5, Monday:

We are under construction! Stephane and Cristina Gompertz, The French Ambassador to Ethiopia and his wife, donated all the work and materials for a beautiful solar shower. It was fun to watch it begin from a slope of wet ground to a beautiful two stall tile shower complete with a place to wash dishes and clothes. It even has a blue canopy where the ladies can stay dry while they are washing themselves or their clothing. It’s painted soft yellow and it seems so cheery.

Now the work has begun for a big covered veranda. The problem is that there is no place for the ladies to go during the day because this is the start of the rainy season, also very appropriately referred to as the dark season. This concrete veranda is big enough for everyone and will be covered in a material that will make it seem a little like a sky light. The workers carry big boulders into our compound then they use a pick ax to make them into small stones, then they mix the concrete by hand and finally spread it. Wow!

Our home is still very full. We’ve helped 115 women since February 7. Usually we are two to three in a bed. We are also full of laughter, hope, and even a new bunny!!!!!!

I found her for sale at another NGO. (they sell rabbit meat so I bought mine very fresh) She is tiny. She is mostly white except for a black spot on her back and black eyeliner around her eyes. I named her Little Miss Fur II after a little rabbit I had a few years ago. I called everyone together to introduce her, the excitement built as I asked everyone to try and guess what I had in the box……. I opened the box, pulled her out, turned around expecting sighs of adoration for our cute new family member. Instead everyone began screaming and running in terror. Oops!

Anyway after I gave her a few kisses and talked our bravest ladies into holding her she has become the queen of the house. She has free reign to hop around anywhere. We have to disinfect every floor daily any way. I have noticed that our carrot supply is running out quickly.

I am especially excited about a new Women’s Association that has been formed. The ladies formed this themselves (okay with a little help) They elected all the officers and have set up monthly trips into the city to expand their cultural knowledge. I love this part. They are collecting addresses that are understandable to them and are putting together a committee to go visit everyone after they are cured and at home. I can’t wait to go with them. (I haven’t actually been invited)

Yesterday I spent showing this interesting country to a friend of mine from my church in the USA. We even got an invitation from Dr Catherine for tea. Yum! It’s so refreshing to be with her. She is so down to earth and practical. I hope I live my life at least a little bit as well as she’s done.

I’m spending my days working on government reports, putting out fires, and hugging the most precious women in the world. My nights have been so quiet. I’m cooking on two burners and I do quite well except for the electrical shock I get if I use the wrong spoon.

Just in case everything seems too smooth I won’t go into details about the night I decided to get on the next flight and let all these barbarians take care of themselves. A good night of sleep helped:)

Tomorrow and Wednesday I’ve been invited to lunch by some of my girlfriends. I can’t wait.