Monday

Hi all,
Our breakfast was fantastic today with scrambled eggs, toast and sausage.

Today has been a building day, with the aim of getting all the trusses onto the building and digging a trench for an outlet for the kitchen water. This was all achieved by 5.00pm. The boys split into 3 groups, trench digging group were called the cool hand Luke digging group, the truss group were the high flyers, the connecting wall to the slab group were called the cyclone proofers. The women folk helped with cyclone proofing the trusses, cutting the insulation and taught the orphans to dance and sing.

Conditions on the site today were particularly testing, sun, heat, exhaustion all played a part, yet everyone remained mindful of each others limits, and therefore we were able to work through these difficult times.

We were fortunate enough to have a visit from a group of Sisters visiting from Augustinian communities around the world, who are here for the Jubilee. Sister Rose was ecstatic to have these first time visitors. Sister Niceta and Sister Pinky joined us for the day and provided a fantastic lunch consisting of twice fried chicken, salad, sticky coconut rice in banana leaves and wholemeal bread, and much to the amusement of the locals the boys proceeded to make chicken and salad sandwiches out of it.

It was lovely to see the boys interacting with the children, playing hand ball and trying to learn the language. Tom Hill has made a particular effort to learn Filipino words that will no doubt endear him to the children.

We have been so spoilt in our short time here, the nuns, in particular Sr Niceta, Sr Pinky, Sr Rose and their good friend Mercy have been so generous and cannot do enough to make our stay an enjoyable one. They have been our tour guides, our shopping guides, our interpreters and have become our friends. They have supplied us with fresh fruit daily and are always bringing some surprises. They a have encouraged us to use the local services providing them with some income. After a few days of arduous work and sore muscles Sr Pinky organised for the staff to have a deep tissue massage. Greatly appreciated!

All ready for another big day on the tools.

Your boys are doing you proud both on the build and with the children. We are having a truly fantastic experience.

· Feel free to post a comment. We’d all love to hear from you.
· Anne, Tom did eat the sweet potato for breakfast quite happily.
· Some boys have orders for pearls. They have white, pink and steel freshwater pearls in various lengths. Let us know via a comment if you would like some bought.
· Bat, have been trying to call you. It tells me your number no longer exists!!!! Please tell David Holland we received his text thanks.

Blog writers today – Julie, Margie, Philippa & Craig