Day 2

Awesome beds after such a long travelling day - From sleep-talking to snoring, from fluffing to cuddling in shared beds (don’t worry, some of us have to share a double bed). So the whole house stood still! We woke up to the aroma of hard boiled eggs, toast and fruit but unfortunately the heavens opened and the sky poured down.  Many of us got on cleaning today which was a real problem because someone (Sam D) took the clothes out of the washing machine on rinse cycle and put them in the drier. Hence the drier growled (just a little). We scrubbed the tiles in the new children’s building and read to the children. Some of us learned some Tagalog really well, while others are still learning. We sang an action song in Tagalog. Some sang while others played in the children’s home. The feeding program had to be moved because of flooding and the building site was a pig’s heaven. So indoors they went to pull walls down. We’re not grumbling about the rain because it has kept the temperature down and we are enjoying the warm sprinkles.

As we scrubbed the floors and listened to the grumbling drier we were stopped in our tracks by the aromas coming from the kitchen. In we walked for lunch to find the source of those delightful aromas ... CHICKEN CURRY!!! It didn’t last long. Seconds and thirds were had by all. Those awesome kitchen angels put in so much effort and produce wonderful meals for us. Our tummies are ever so grateful.

We really enjoyed our break after lunch because we were able to recoup and recharge. We’re still trying to get our head around the fact that we’re here and it’s so different. The facilities here at the ministry centre are awesome. We have everything that we need and we feel very much at home. As we walk out the gate, the reasons why we’re here are so obvious.

We learnt today the reason to close the gate as the Doberman and the Rottweiler charged out of the open gate and attacked another dog, whereas inside the compound they are goofy and placid. Sam D and one of the locals pulled both of the dogs inside the compound and shut the gate. We continued on to the children’s home in shock and with a reality check of where we are.

At the children’s home the children were happy to have our company and enjoyed teaching us new games. For example with empty cardboard boxes they made towers, played hide and seek and pretended to build beds. They played this game for hours. At the home they have push cars, swings,  tree-house, basketball and soccer areas. Indoors they have a piano, books, toys and a tv. The boys sleep on one side of the upstairs and the girls sleep on the other. They all have their own beds and we read to them after our nightly devotions session. We are all looking forward to our time with them tonight.

Afternoon tea was banana lumpia. Teddy was impressed and a little bit greedy.

ps,,
Kezia: Hey Dad Mum Abbie Jake Ethan missing you all and am having such an amazing time lots of love xoxo
Irene: Heyy Mum, Dad, Brenda, Sabine & Jacob. Having such a great experience here, everyone is so friendly and welcoming, I hope you are all well because I love yous. SEE YOU SOON GUYS :)
Sally: Hey mum and dad, miss yous, having such an unreal time. love you xx
Nathan: Hey Mum and Dad miss you guys so much, having heaps of fun and experiencing new things, love you :)
Sam: hey mum and dad and ben and rose and mabes, hope you all are well and not too lost without us(: we (me and joe) are having a great time, meeting new people and stuff. Look forward to seeing you guys soon, but loving it here at the same time, from your son. :) xx
Colin: Hi Mum, Dad, Tim, Jen, Aunty Lynda, Year 3's and United Church of Gosnells. I'm having a great time. The weather is atrocious, really humid but enjoying myself.
Luke: Miss you mum and dad, Michael and Cinna. Love ya's