Rats. It rained.

I waited too long. As the storm broke last night, I knew we were in trouble at the Phare. We hadn't yet completed our "defenses."

I've asked forgiveness of the guys. They spent the day digging mud off of driveways and sidewalks. Tomorrow, if it doesn't rain tonight, we'll block the end of the driveway with a large speed bump of dirt, to protect us until the road crews finish their work.

The Rain is Coming Soon

It's a quiet day here at the Phare. We have a few guests passing through. I helped someone get the correct password for wireless when I walked in the gate this morning. And on the last video here you can hear a baby crying in the background. There must be a young family up in Apartment Congo.

Although our volunteers, Jonathan and Peter, are over at DA helping set up new playground equipment this morning, work continues here. I'm starting to get anxious about the rains beginning. We've had clouds and that moist smell in the air and sudden cool breezes passing through. So far, all of that has just been a "tease", or maybe a warning! When we actually get the first real downpour, all the rain falling on the highway across the street and on the hill over there will come rushing down our driveway!

Not today, but within the week we'll go up with shovels and picks and create a very large speed-bump / dike with that pile of dirt and stone. Pray we don't wait too long!

The lowest end of the property is also being addressed. We have to give large quantities of water someplace to go in case our barrier is breached! If not, we end up with a lake down there.

So, Aaron. We miss you and wanted you to know we're still here and thinking of you often!

Aaron will not believe this

We were sure that this step wouldn't happen until after they were done paving the road, guaranteeing that the new pristine surface would be marred immediately. But, surprise! It's going to be done right! Shame on us for bad attitudes.

A Hole in our Lives, but not the End

I wanted to post this clip last week, but the sadness of good-byes blocked me a bit, I guess. The Toombs family has gone back to the US for 8 months. We miss them greatly.

Here is where that room ended up. So much for putting a bag or two of my own in there!

The car is here, too, and Diego the dog for another week or so.
























But the work hasn't stopped here. We've had some volunteers at work with Patrice and Ndiaga. My son, Jonathan, and cousin Peter and David from Pittsburgh have all put in time with us these last weeks. Here's a clip from today: