Driving on the Left Hand Side of the Road....

Did I tell you that I am driving over here?  Well I am!!  I am driving a van with a left-handed stick shift and so far so good.  Fortunately I am driving in Komga which would be similar to Ironton or LaValle back home, no stop lights and a stop sign or two.  It is a great place to get comfortable driving on what always feels like the wrong side of the road.   

So let me catch you up.  Lana, the Director of the Home, had been working non-stop for over two months.  The timing of my visit allowed her to take some much needed time off.  After learning the daily routine for the children and the home, Lana is now enjoying a holiday and I am thoroughly enjoying the children.  Today I took nine of the children to a small community church in Komga and they were angels.  The Pastor is very welcoming of all children so last week we took four with us, this week I took nine, and I just can't imagine taking all 21!!  I will keep you posted.  As I was driving back to the home, deep in thought of how well behaved all nine were, I was watching this truck approaching us, and quickly realized I was on the wrong side of the road!  Oncoming traffic does aid in knowing which side of the road to be on..... 

Our road into town is an unpaved, bumpy, pot-holed, rickety road which you can't help but chuckle along the way.  We cross three cattle bridges which are a bit like a roller coasters and the children let out these "oohs"  and "aahhhs", and when we cross a train track, it is "aah zooolllll".  I have asked what that means, and no one seems to know.  So I just join in when we cross the track, "aah zooollll." 

On Saturday, four of the older children had a very big surprise.  They are receiving riding lessons which I believe are a gift from the local riding club.  I was fortunate to be able to take them to the farm and it was pretty neat.  They were introduced to a pony, aptly named Surprise.  They were taught how to approach a horse, how to brush a horse and then how to lead a horse.  Riding lessons will begin this week and they are so excited.  So am I!

You have asked what are we eating.  The children have three well balanced meals every day.  Many of the vegetables are exactly what we have - sweet potatoes, potatoes, squash, beets, cabbage, carrots and onions.  And all the meats are similar - beef, mutton, goat and chicken.  Our Sunday dinner was delicious - baked chicken, sweet potatoes, beets and cabbage.  Last night I was told we had "stiff pup and pritchards."  Stiff pup is mealie meal, which is a very fine ground white corn and is used for porridge.  I am guessing pritchards are a local fish - kind of like sardines.  It was pretty good.  The house mothers bake homemade bread and it is always a treat.

Before each meal, the children fold their hands in prayer and sing the following prayer:

Thank you, Jesus; Thank you, Jesus; For our food, For our food;

Many, many blessings; Many, many blessings,

Amen, Amen.

God Bless!

Comments

[Susan Monteen]

You are reminding me of the old lady in the shoe who had so many children she didn't know what to do!!!!!! Please do not lose any children on one of your journeys!!!!! Love yah....

[Yui Chan]

Okay, let me get this straight. If you are leading 21 kiddies, then who the heck is leading you? Yikes! Oh gosh, it’s the biggest loony in the house leading a bunch of innocent kids astray.....scary thought indeed! My dear, this is a recipe for mischievous buffoonery! Boy, I sure hope the kiddies are looking after you, so you better behave! Otherwise, they may have to hog-tie you and give you a timeout! Ha!

[Lauren Monteen]

Be safe driving!!! you sound like me on the road! everything here is good, minus the weather! i miss you and am so glad to hear you and the kiddies are doing well! im sending you an email later updating you on the boy and the house! LOVE YOU!

[kevin]

I would love more information on this..I have four teen drivers..thanks for the good work