I seem to always be a day behind on making my post. There are so many amazing things to share, and I don’t want to miss a day! Hmmmm, well, I really want to tell you about yesterday AND today, so I will try to fit both in, and not make too long of a post!
Yesterday, September 17, 2012
Our mission for Monday was to update a creche (preschool/daycare center). This creche had two rooms, but they were both only about 12ft.x12ft. square. Our team of ten split up and started scraping the walls of tacks, glue, paper, and any other “bumpies” that would make painting difficult. After washing the walls to remove loose dirt, I moved on to painting the metal bars across the window with enamel paint. Here I will stop and ask how many of you have used enamel paint? Apparently once it makes contact with skin, or anything else for that matter, it will not come off unless scrubbed down with turpentine. Nonetheless, it had to be used so it wouldn’t come off the bars and flake all over. I used yellow (another not quite thought out pick since yellow does not cover up deep red/brown very well), and green to help bring more light to the one window, one light bulb room.
By the time that task was completed Michael (Lucas’ son-in-law), Doug, Sue, Cindy, and the others had finished the base coat on the walls, and it was time to break for lunch. We had mini potpies that Leona and Llewellyn delivered to us, and they were so delicious! We ate in about ten minutes then got back to work drawing our designs, and beginning painting. Matt and I were a design team, but Matt did most of the drawing and designing. I just painted. I love painting. It is like watching something come to life before your eyes when you put colors together and give a simple picture character. I had the most fun while drawing and painting my sun. It turned out way better than I could have imagined, and it even looks “African”, according to Matt. The earth, planets, and rocket Matt drew looked great, and by the time we finished I wouldn’t have imagined what it looked like before we started! I will post picture hopefully if all this technology cooperates tonight! If not, they will be on Facebook.
All in all, the thing that amazed and touched me was how the woman who runs the creche was so blown away by all we did. She gave ALL the glory to God saying she had been praying for help or some type of aid, and then Leona came along and now we made her crèches “so beautiful”. She brought every parent back when they picked up their child that evening to show them our work. She told them over and over how they must start believing that God DOES work miracles, and they were all looking at her miracle. I think we all need to learn a lesson from her, and thank God for the miracles in our life. Miracles are huge, mind-blowing things. Miracles happen every day, you just have to look for them.
Today – Tuesday, September 18, 2012
Today we distributed preschool supplies to ten preschools. I don’t think I can explain what I experienced, so I will have to explain just through pictures. Enjoy!!!
Thank you again, Grandma, for your support! I loved getting your comments while I was in South Africa! I guess I must have missed this one. Missing you!
I just now saw this!! I am so happy that not just my family and immediate friends read this!
I just got back on to check on the blog since I had a few notifications! It brings back such amazing memories! Thank you for all you taught me, Lucas, and for being the most wonderful host imaginable!!!! Missing you all greatly!
Sending my love,
Kaitlin
Thank you!
Love to see what you are doing! May God bless & guide your efforts!
Fabulous having you here helping us Kaitlin! Your energy and enthusiasm is infectious. THANKS!
You are amazing..I love reading this blog. Keep up the great work Kaitlin:)
If only we could all take from this and realize how very fortunate we all are.
You are doing such a great thing..your parents must be so proud.
Miss you
kids are kids no matter where in the world they are at. they grow on love and trust!
Its so wonderful what you all are doing. Those babies are so cute! I loved the art wrok too, Keep up the great work!
So cool. Love it. And enjoy reading your posts