Friday's to-do list was packed!

We began our day at FHS, the last day of the first term. At the end of each term FHS has a celebration. Although it got off to a late start, we enjoyed participating in the festivities for as long as we could. Falconer's class sang "Father Abraham"--with motions of course. Ana's class sang and danced... and then sang and danced some more. Oma and Ester (the ladies who run the kitchen) joined in. They are always a joy to watch!

Judy had brought bags of toys for each of the kids. Most of them were beanie babies and toys that her daughter Lindsay had collected before she died. Giving these as gifts to the children was extra special and something we all know Lindsay would have wanted. Seeing the big smiles on the children's faces as they opened them was priceless.

From FHS we went to meet Steve Brown at Katutura Hospital. Steve is a doctor there and gave us the tour of the pediatric and "prem" units. I have visited the hospital before and am always burdened to pray a special prayer for the tiny babies as I walk past their beds. Thankfully, the survival rate is quite good for these little ones but many in the hospital do not face such great odds. It is common for Steve to count 4 or 5 pediatric deaths a week. I especially wanted Mom to tour this hospital since she is a nurse. To add up the contrasts between her hospital and this one would be innumerable. And yet, this hospital is still a hundred times better than the one I visited in Kenya. Visiting places like this is quite sobering as I reflect on how much we take for granted in our home countries. I am thankful for people like Steve who can continue to minister to the needs of God's precious little ones in such a challenging and (I would think) often depressing environment.

After lunch, exchanging money at the bank (an adventure in itself!) and running our final errands, we met up with Petrus. Petrus is our "gardener". It is common for missionaries in many foreign countries to have house help. When I moved into this house, the Rineers already had Petrus coming regularly to clean both inside and out. They recommended that I continue having him work here 1) to help with the upkeep of the house and yard and 2) so that he can continue to receive a salary. I hate cleaning so it sounded like a great idea! :) But more than that, Petrus is one of the most kindhearted men I have ever met! You will never catch him without a huge smile on his face. He is a pastor at a church in Katutura. His church is connected to his home and can accomodate about 30 people. I had talked to Petrus before Mom and Judy arrived to see if there were any specific needs they could help with. People from their churches and other friends and family had donated some money for them to bring along to assist with any needs they might come across. Petrus suggested chairs for the church or blankets for those in his community as the winter months are approaching. I still need to investigate where to purchase chairs here (I will use money some of my friends and supporters have donated), but blankets were an easy option for Mom and Judy. When we were in Swakopmund, they bought over 30 blankets and some winter clothes. We gave them to Petrus and his family to hand out to those living nearby. It is quite cold in my house as I type this. Heat is a luxury most here can't afford (including us missionaries!). But at least I have concrete walls and proper windows to keep some of the chill out. I can't imagine what it is like to live in the corrugated metal houses with drafts constantly coming in between the thin metal sheets.

Our evening ended with a scrumptious meal at Joe's with some of the AIM gang. It was a big hit with Mom and Judy who tried ostrich, zebra, crocodile, kudu, springbok, and oryx for the first time. They had beignets on the special dessert menu. I ordered them in honor of my love of New Orleans. As is often here, things aren't always as we might expect. The "beignets" were actually fried mangoes. Quite a contrast, but delicious nonetheless! :)