'Round Here

Despite all the Christmas activities and excitement around here the days are still smooth, routine, and full.  

There aren't any waste removal systems here (of the trashcan or toilet variety) so everyone burns their trash wherever they want.  The sky has been a haze of smoke for days and the black ash that floats around creates an extra layer of dirt and is part of the air we breathe- we're all coughing from the soot in our lungs.  

In addition to their tribal language most people speak Juba Arabic (named after the capital of South Sudan) which is the lingua franca, and I'm slowly learning the basics.  So far I've memorized "es imi takee munu?" (what is your name?); "mata sakela!" (stop fighting!); "ou woo goo ita win?" (where are you hurt?); "ita quess?" (it is well?"); "kayday ma ou goo ita!"  (be careful!); "mata woo nusu" (stop talking); "mata dugu," (stop hitting); "ana hebu ita," (I love you); "jaman bere do," (time for bathing); "jaman sokol," (time for chores); "shukran," (thank you); and "noom quess," (good night.)  

It's currently the dry season and most of the trees are losing their leaves.  The teak trees that grow in abundance shed leaves the size of iPads and create a covering on the ground that traps the heat if they're not picked up.  Thank goodness for little hands to do the dirty work!  

Here are some images that capture the everyday life at this little oasis.

All of the women on staff were given new fabric as a Christmas present, which they'll take to a tailor for a custom outfit;  one of the cooks chooses an orange and green swath. 

Some of the colorful fabric, all of which is made in Congo.  

Laundry is a daily chore and bringing white socks was a bad idea.  I let them soak extra long and think they look like lazy manatees floating in the ocean. (My shower is not as dirty as it appears, it's just that some of the paint is chipping.)

The younger kids take a nap every day after lunch, these are the girls dozing in the shade of a mango tree.

The kids do chores twice a day which mostly consists of raking leaves.  Unfortunately for the littlest kids they have to collect leaves by hand; Hannah was very proud of her bouquets.

The smoke from the fires is an ubiquitous nuisance, but it does cause dreamy sunsets. 

Mosquito nets hanging in the sun to dry.

And a picture of Elijah, Isaiah, and Mercy (left to right) because they are irresistible.