Project #2--The "Widow's" New House

Remember in October when Lin-Lin's husband died, leaving her with five kids (the same week her father died)? Well, God provided for her to get lots of house repairs, making her home more safe and livable for them. Before, there was just a hole in the wall; now there is a new window with slats so people cannot look in or climb in.

Before there was nothing in this corner; now there is a new sink with water! Before they had to get water outside in a bucket; now they have it piped to a faucet in this sink. Before they had few dishes; now they have some dishes and a table.

(Though I wish you could see it, I was not able to take before pictures because of the delicate situation and my relationship hadn't developed yet).

Before, the floor was sand from the beach and the house was ground level, making potential floods. Now there is enough cement for it to be raised and it is smooth and clean. (Now when we visit, Elijah does not have to eat the sand from the floor).

Before, there was a sheet for a curtain separating that corner for a room. Now there are walls for a closed-in room (no bed yet, but maybe someday, and no lights or fan yet, but praying God will soon provide).

Here we are in the doorway! Before there was no door (unsafe, scary...), now there is a door. Note also the steps going up now so that there are no floods or mud.

Also, there was cement available to smooth the interior walls, wood for a ceiling and support for the roof. Before there was a whimpy pole in the middle consisiting of two broken pieces of wood hammered together. Now it seems like a whole new house! Praise God! Thank God for the people in the U.S. who sent money to pay for this. Bless them!

There's always more to gain visions for, like this "shower". This is up a hill nearby the house where they hose down behind a curtain outdoors. They have to shower with their clothes on because people can stand on the hill and look in to see. Soon there will be a C.R. (comfort room), Aka, an outhouse, but right now, where do they use the C.R.? Their house is too low to make a proper hole in the ground so they have to build one up the hill.

Outside the front door they share this cooking area. They make a fire with charcoal and cook the rice in the pot.

This is my only "before" picture, taken in October just after the tragedy of the father/husband's death.

Since then Lin-Lin has received Christ into her life, has trusted God for his comfort, protection and provision, and now has a new house to live in. Praise the Lord! Also I like to see them smiling now! Praise the Lord for all the Christians who prayed for her and her kids and who sent money to help her in need.

Fun People in Elijah's Little Life

Here is Amor, one of Elijah's favorite (and only) baby-sitters. She is so good with him. Ah the love!

Here is Elijah's first babysitter ever, and the lady who got him to eat his first food when I was not there to nurse him. He can recognize her and spot her in any crowd giving a big smile!

Here are some of our international students on none other than international day! Two Koreans and one Japanese student--note Elijah is wearing his "I love the USA" outfit with red-white-and blue. What a contrast to the lovely dresses!

Here is one of the new students, Joel. He is SO good with Elijah. When his family came for dinner, Joel played with Elijah for an hour making him laugh and building towers of blocks for him to knock down. Look at this precious hand-in-hand shot!

And here is the big boy on Easter day. Sunday nights we love to go to the field and watch papa play ultimate frisbee. Elijah just wanders around and looks for bottle-caps, straws and rocks to chew on.

Project #1--Library

The vision I had since before we went to the U.S. a year ago was to build a library for the poor people near to our neighborhood. They have no access to any library and cannot afford books. Yet as a reader, learner and teacher I know the value of reading books and learning (and having something productive to do).

We started with nothing, but in the U.S. we collected many books from donors and shipped them in boxes. We organized them and created a card system--simple and usable. Then I was waiting for the money to build the shelves, and at last it is provided.

Here are the workers building the library shelves.

And here is the lovely librarian, Emi. The books are in the first room of her house so she can manage them. Soon mothers and children will be by to check out books. We're also planning a reading club on the floor here and hope to use it for Bible story time too!

Praise God for his provision for these books, for Emi and for the lovely couple from the midwest U.S. who donated the money for these shelves!

Walking Boy

I can't help it. I am a proud mama! Look at this little guy go! After one week he was cruising up and down the hallway, back and forth, practicing his new skill--walking! He loves to hold a rag or cloth while he walks. I don't know, maybe it is like the tightrope-walkers who need a pole for balance.
Helping Mama sweep!

Look at that smile...so proud of himself.

I'm walking!

Look at me, Mama! "Yes, son, I am proud of you!"

AND A VIDEO FOR THE PROUD GRANDPARENTS:

First Steps! Precious!

What a joy to watch Elijah take his first steps. He smiles huge so proud of himself!

10 Month Photo Shoot

Warning: Lots of photos to follow! I included all my favorite ones especially for my mom, who I know will study every detail.

Elijah turned 10 months on March 8th! What a fun boy! He now has six teeth, can stand by himself, and tries to walk fast when holding someone's hand. He eats lots of things (I couldn't resist letting him try mango!), and he sleeps through the night in his own room!
He loves to help Mama with the diapers. What is so fun about waiving cloths in the air?

We go everywhere together and still get lots of attention on the bike--his little chariot!

Elijah loves to praise the Lord with Papa. He is claping along with everyone else.

Learning to stand and walk.

Determined expressions--little explorer.

"Oooh," he often makes that face. I love his little hands and those beautiful eyes.

Two little buddies. Nice sharing, boys!

He loves to play at the park with Mama and the other kids.

A great place to practice walking.

What a joyful boy!

"Let's go fast, Mama!" Soon he'll be running!

Curious boy, he loves to eat leaves and rocks.

The moms thought it would be a fun photo, but the kids....I'm not so sure about this.

Wheelbarrow fun.....fun?

These two buddies are destined to be friends! How great to have another little boy around.

First track and field day---run, Elijah! What a fun little guy.

Bands of Blessing

Last Friday night was the band concert, called "Bands of Blessing". Nate did such a great job as the director! Here is his high school jazz band class. It was fun for them to have him playing trumpet with them.

Notice the Suzaphone (sp?) in the background--a huge gift from some of our principal's supporters. I'm still amazed at all that God has provided since we first came. Now we even have an auditorium and stage!

Here are two of Mr. Becker's students playing a special number. The musicians are making such beautiful sounds!

Here is a balcony view of our new auditorium. Wow! What a difference from our concerts on wooden platforms on the basketball court! Thank you, Lord!

Beginning band students--they sounded really good. One mother heard her daughter practicing and said to her friend, "I don't think she is ever going to play that clarinet," but here she is in concert! I can't help but be so proud of Nate for all his work making beginners into a band! Thank you, Lord, for these blessings!

Fun Family Pics

Nate and I were finally able to have a date out on the town. It was very fun to have special time together just as a couple. Elijah was happy to play with his Ate while we went out.

Elijah loves his Papa and as you can see, Papa loves to chill with his boy!

"What is this? VEGETABLES?" We tried but were not so good at getting him to eat his broccoli! Look at that little face!

Fun boy--he loves to play piano, especially when Mommy and Daddy are trying to play duets. He doesn't want to be left out of the family fun!

Look at those little teeth! Elijah is learning to walk all around the place! He is a little cruiser! This is one of my favorite outfits from Grandma and Grandpa Becker.

Precious! These two are such a pair!

Elijah is so curious about the drums! When we go to Papa's class, he always crawls straight to the drums and wants to have lessons.

"I've got to make my way to the drumsticks!"

Soon he'll be walking without those chairs. He is a jolly joyful boy.

He now has six teeth, which he loves to bite Mama's leg with! I'm trying to teach him not to do that, but it's not sinking in yet.