catching up

Ephraim took his guitar and harmonica along when he went to Valparaiso yesterday. He played 2 songs on the bus and held out his hand. He made almost 1000 pesos. I think he planning to do it more.
Our old friends, the Castor's, came to see us while they were in Chile. It was wonderful seeing them. We headed out to the beach and our neighbors put us in their truck and drove us down and picked us up when we were done. While we were there a man brought apples to us. He had met us the day before on the bus.

Leon sold some stuff and the money was enough to buy wood for a table and benches, food for a little while, and we hope a wood burning cook stove. I am so excited to get those things. They will really make life easier. Right now we lay a towel on the floor and sit cross legged around it. We were cooking on the campfire exclusively, but now we have more propane so we can use the camp stove. The water started making everyone around here sick, including us. We have groups of visitors bringing us bags of clothes and toys everyday. Once we got 6 groups throughout the day. They stay until late at night. We use candles for lighting at night and it looks and feels so good on the new wood walls that I look forward to sundown now.
What else? So much!

Two ladies came and stayed until 10:30 at night. We played them songs. The next day they brought bread. They are providing all the ingredients for Ephraim and the boys to make one of those outdoor clay ovens. All the folks around here cook their bread in them. Hopefully they can start soon.
Some of us have actually had a real bath now. It was 3 inches of hot water in the tub and 5 people used the same water but it sure beats a mug of cold water while standing on a filthy floor towel. We are really feeling civilized now. I was in there "woo-hoo- ing" pretty loud. All the children came wanting a bath when they heard me. I felt like a new woman. Then when Asaph had a bath, I could hardly recognize him. Zuriel said to him, a little disappointed, "I thought it was a tan". Nope, it was dirt. Soot and dirt.
Someone has just stopped by, I better run and practice my Spanish on them.