Day Nine - Saturday 10th June

Well Saturday has been another long but profitable day. Today we headed to the church to participate in their working party (doing jobs around the church). One of the older girls in the house took us there as we don't yet know our way around. On they way several interesting things happened. First our jeepney bumped into the car in front and so we all had to get out and change. And secondly the clouds sent down a flash flood which was fortunately from the time we got in the jeepney to when we got out.

There were sadly not many people at the working party but that meant there was plenty to do at least. Richard was set to work cleaning all the fans which meant taking them apart and washing all the pieces. You can't imagine how dirty they were and there were lots to do. It took him most of the day. Becci and I were put to work cleaning the window frames of dust. They are kind of like gratings over the windows and very hard to wash. After cleaning several of the windows which were quite large we then had to wash all the chairs which had accumulated a lot of dust on the legs. After that we also wiped down the bottoms of tables. So the working party seemed more like church cleaning in the end, as the others waxed the floor and put out chairs. We stopped for lunch around 12 with KFC and rice and were done by about 3pm.

Once back at the homes we rested for a bit before beginning a task we had been given by the housemothers, which was sorting their library. They have had some new books in which they wanted listed, coded and hopefully covered with some plastic. So its quite a big task that can keep us occupied if we are ever lost for something to do. However our big mistake was that we started this job on a Saturday with all the children at home. Subsequently they all wanted to help and piles of books in certain catagories were destroyed, all books were opened, read, thrown around, fought over and the children crowed round us on the computers as we made our lists. I was quite surprised that we managed to get done what we did but that was probably due to Heather eventually getting all the children out of the office so we could have some peace and quiet. They meant well but their excitment does get the best of them at times.

Once we had done that we went out and played with the children. The younger ones in particular are very affectionate and continually want to play with us and hug us. Most of them don't speak much english and so we can't get what they are saying. But many games such as hide and seek, the playground, tug of war and london bridge is falling down seem universal. They have such boundless energy in this heat, its amazing. They play really well together including the younger ones which are aged 2-3. The older ones (15 up) keep to themselves. My only regret is I'm still having trouble remembering all the childrens names. As the evening draws on they revert to quieter options such as playing in their rooms or on the piano. Some of them want me to teach them short tunes which they are learning really well. Richard wasn't with us this evening as Matthew invited him out to see the England game and stay over at his house. We are looking forward tomorrow to two english sermons. Also please remember me in your prayers as I prepare a devotion for next week.

Take care. Sarah