Hello Friends:
As they would say here in South Sudan, "Time is escaping me". It really is! It has been more than three weeks since I last sent an update and I thought it had only been a short while. Things continue to move very fast as we prepare to open.
When the major part of the work was done, the construction people asked Alex to ask me if we could get a goat and celebrate the completion. These celebrations are very important here, so I agreed. The contractor, supervisor, masons, carpenters, electrician, and other workers gathered together and we shared in eating goat and posho. The dining room had just been completed so we ate there. Notice the working fans and lights?! As usual, my plans weren't the same as theirs. I thought we would eat and leave, but we ended up having a program with speeches from the contractor, supervisor, Justus and me. It really was nice and everyone enjoyed it. We ended with sodas for everyone (a real treat here since most can't afford it).
The small work has continued with the walkways being put in and latrines, bath houses, and guard house being completed. Justus and I are doing a lot of shopping to purchase needed items for the kitchen and furnishings for the houses. We currently have most of the kitchenware, but the stove is yet to be built. We have all the mattresses, but the beds are still being made. The carpenter has now completed the dining room tables and he is working on the closets for the houses.
Justus and I have hired the mamas and the cooks and next week we will do an orientation and training in Child Rights and Protection. We are also inviting some church leaders and the director of another orphanage as this concept is new here and much needed.
This week Justus and I are interviewing orphans. The process has not been as brutal as I thought it would because the pastors have been very good at adhering to the requirements. However, the stories can be pretty heartbreaking. One grandmother told us that the six year old child she was keeping ran to the bushes when he was beaten and wouldn't talk. At that point, I just wanted to take the child with me! And we are having more girls than boys brought to us. I guess that really doesn't surprise me because girls aren't generally viewed as being important enough to educate. I am attaching a few pictures for you to see. When we get them together I will send a group picture.
We are hoping to bring the children to GRACE Home on September 9th if everything is finished. Please help us pray that the children will adjust to a new home and that the staff will embrace the children as their own. Pray for us to be organized and lead in the process of forming a bond with the children. And, pray that these children will see Jesus at GRACE Home and experience His love through their new family.
GRACE and peace to all,
Libby Dearing
