Independence Day

Hello! Today was a great day, we slept in (til 8) and then had a second training on the felt board. It seems to be well received and we plan to use it this weekend. Also, the men worked on a solar dehydrator, and have the structure completed and will finish the insulation tomrrow.

Matt & I met with Pastor Francis and Flavia to discuss our move for next year and looked at some possible land.

Nancy, Kathy, and I went to the market. The large number of flies, as well as the smell from the dried fish and catepillars was a bit overwhelming. We bought some vegetables and cloth, and enjoyed hanging out with Mumba and the kids - Ariel, Cheepo, Kevin, and Olga.

Well, I heard you would like an Ariel update.... The first few days were difficult for her due to the interrupted sleep schedule and she did not want to be held by anyone but me, but other than maybe one crying spell a day, the only problems this caused is when I needed to put her down, and at bedtime - she would not go without me. Yesterday, she was able to continue with her normal nap schedule and she is doing GREAT! Rudo (Francis's granddaughter) loves to take her around the yard, and she loves playing with Cheepo and Kevin. They have become her Big brothers here, and love entertaining her by playing monkey and crawling around on the floor with her, giving her hugs and making faces. They have all been great and I know she will miss them. Since they are talking and walking, she wants to do the same. She is constantly chattering, and trying to walk. Her crawling has improved dramatically, and we are really enjoyng watching her with the kids.
Today, she had her first Nschma (sp?) and really loved it. She has also eaten various curried chickens, rice, a vegetable similar to eggplant, potatoes, and drank koolaid, orange juice, and mango.

All in all we are having a great time. Today we saw many political activists riding around cheering on thier candidates for president. It was an educational day!

Miss you all - thanks for all the prayers!

Love,
Matt, Ariel, Bonnie, Nancy, Kathy, Nathan, and Jerry