July 4th: The Big and Small of It

The big of it is that it is my daughter Amy’s 31st birthday, and I talked to her and so felt both her presence and her absence more keenly. Boo Boo promised to send one of her swimming ribbons with Pat when he comes in July, and Bubba told me everything important.

It’s Independence Day, a holiday mostly only the US and Denmark celebrate, so here in Kenya, we marked the day putting chain link fencing over the barbed wire for better security on the five acres, and laying out the measurements for the kitchen, our first building project.

Kenya, for all its difficulties is still free and democratic, and we are happy for that freedom here. A good friend just wrote, “Thank God you are not in Zimbabwe.” And I would add to that, Somalia, Congo, Sudan, Chad, Central African Republic and others who are having difficult times. And so we do thank God. All the time.

Here are some photos of the fourth day of July, 2008, from this side.

$This, our rather homely hen, had four new chicks a few days ago. Let\'s hope they take after their father.$ This, our rather homely hen, had four new chicks a few days ago. Let\'s hope they take after their father.

Our work sometimes brings visitors. This is from left to right: Rosie, Esther, Sylvia and Agnes. On their way home from school, having walked the five kilometers from Kinani.

They were shy but really wanted to see themselves in the pictures.

A lot of hilarity ensued after showing them the photos.

$Our medium sized neighbor stoped by. She\'s second of four.$ Our medium sized neighbor stoped by. She\'s second of four.

$He\'s third of four, about three years old, I would guess. Now that their mother has a job in Daystar, he is often left to care for his one year old sister about half the day, while the two oldest are in school. We keep an eye on them.$ He\'s third of four, about three years old, I would guess. Now that their mother has a job in Daystar, he is often left to care for his one year old sister about half the day, while the two oldest are in school. We keep an eye on them.

Group self portrait on the fence line.

$I left for Joel\'s to borrow the sight level and found \"stretch\" eating some acacia tree leaves just at the side of the road.$ I left for Joel\'s to borrow the sight level and found \"stretch\" eating some acacia tree leaves just at the side of the road.

A Fourth of July ray on a very cloudy and then rainy day.

Gilbert and I laying out the measurements for the kitchen, which we will begin to build in a couple of weeks.

Moses and Benson were putting up the chain link fencing. We have added it to all the five acres to improve security.

And Mildred was doing washing and taking care of young David.

The three remaining puppies were busy pestering one of their mothers for some Independence Day milk. She was more interested in their independence than milk. Chubbysean, the black puppy, also known as Chinneus is now about half as big as she is.

They interrupted the pursuit for a photo op.

And they found a little protection from the rain on the leeward side of the cooking shack.

While the rest of us rode out the brief shower in the container. Agnes, Mbini, Rosalie, Gilbert, Moses, Benson and I. It has been very dry and the cattle are beginning to be in some jeopardy. This was very small and not efficacious rain.

$Gilbert stepped out into the rain to get this shot. That\'s Benson rolling up the barbed wire. Pronounced wonderfully here, \"barb-ed wire.\" Just after this shot, one of the rolls of chain link fell and toppled the sight level, our only truly indispensable--and borrowed--piece of equipment, on its tripod, which I had put near the back for safety. We are working through this one as I write.$ Gilbert stepped out into the rain to get this shot. That\'s Benson rolling up the barbed wire. Pronounced wonderfully here, \"barb-ed wire.\" Just after this shot, one of the rolls of chain link fell and toppled the sight level, our only truly indispensable--and borrowed--piece of equipment, on its tripod, which I had put near the back for safety. We are working through this one as I write.

The women, waiting for the weather break.

Their feet.

$Gilbert\'s feet.$ Gilbert\'s feet.

$Everybody\'s feet, but mine.$ Everybody\'s feet, but mine.

So, Happy Birthday to Amy and the country where she lives, and for all the things that make us happy, birthday or no: Federer and Nadal are in the finals again, the Big Sur fire may spare a particularly beloved piece there, we are all here and there and very much alive, and Ingrid Betancourt, after all these years, is free. That all seems like more than enough.

Yours for fireworks,

David

Comments(10)

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Sister Maryann Benoit says
July 5, 2008 at 7:41 pm

Dear David and all,
Thank you for adding to our July 4 celebration by linking us to your more work-oriented type of celebration. (Your Aunt-Sister and I were treated to brunch, downtown parade, Mass, traditional picnic fare, etc., by good friends whose priest-son is home just now from York, PA; ’twas a very pleasant, relaxing day.
The picture story is charming! Thanks to you and all of the team for what you are doing for the benefit of children. I am pleased to be part of the team via prayers of both petition and thanks–the thanks especially for your feeling safe and getting so much accomplished.
With love and prayers, Sr. Maryann
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Peggy Traverso says
July 6, 2008 at 2:10 pm

Thank you, David, for keeping us “in the loop” but most especially for sharing with us all of the things we have to be thankful for this Independence Day. The happenings at your site in Kenya keep things in perspective for us here in the States.

Speaking of happenings: Hope the sight level made it through.

Loved the pictures of the good-looking chicken, healthy looking puppies, your crew, and, as always, the children– Peggy
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Bernie & LouAnn says
July 7, 2008 at 10:23 am

Wonderful pictures and narration, David, as always! We look forward to your journal entries! Take care and God bless all of you!
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Debi says
July 7, 2008 at 4:43 pm

David, thanks for the visually delightful update. And more thanks for the mention of the Big Sur fire. We got the the ultimate fireworks show from the backfire on Mescal Ridge yesterday. We’ll be dure to send some photos to you. you can see 3 here if you look soon.

http://xasauantoday.wordpress.com/2008/06/23/big-surventana-wilderness-fire-news/

We are not “out of the woods” yet but so dar the backfire is holding with a few little spill overs that they’ve taken care of. Huge work still to come to get this big boy from creeping down our watershed.

Continued good work!

Love,
Debi
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JOSEPH LATINO says
July 8, 2008 at 10:19 am

DAVID IT WAS GREAT GETTING YOUR JULY 4TH ENTRY. I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT IT WAS AMY’S BIRTHDAY! HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO YOU AMY!! WHILE WATCHING WIMBLEDON THIS YEAR, ESPECIALLY THAT GREAT FINAL, I THOUGHT ABOUT ALL THOSE TIMES SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TO CLIMB THE TALLEST TREE WITHIN REACH OF THE ANTENNA CABLE TO TRY TO GET GOOD ENOUGH RECEPTION TO WATCH THOSE FANTASTIC MATCHES BETWEEN BORG AND MCENROE. GREAT MEMORIES!!! KEEP UP THE WONDERFUL WORK AND KNOW THAT YOU ARE MISSED. MUCH LOVE, JOE
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david says
July 10, 2008 at 4:49 am

Dear Joe,

In an odd set of circumstances, I did get to see most of the finals. I was in Nairobi and found a place to watch. No sound, but that great, gentlemanly tennis. I took exactly the same memory path, breakfast at the cabin with those we love and the tenuous antenna strapped to a straight cedar. Somehow that seems like paradise now, both in the living and the remembering.

Great to hear from you, Joe. You are so often in my thoughts. With old, deep love,

David
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david says
July 10, 2008 at 4:54 am

Hi Sister Maryann,

I think the last time I was at a downtown parade I was seven or eight, and I have the most important memories if it, and so I was deeply comforted that they are still marching, and twirling and parading in Montana, downtown , on the 4th.

I view you and Aunt Sister as pillars of the project, and feel proud and protected.

Love to you both,

David
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david says
July 10, 2008 at 4:57 am

Hi Peggy,

Yes, so many things to celebrate, here and there. The sight level has, after a number of calls to Germantown, WI, and some creative surgery is on the job again…today in fact.

Your enthusiasm keeps me going. Love from Kenya,

David
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david says
July 10, 2008 at 5:03 am

Dear Debi,

You and Chris and Gordon are never far from my mind now as the fire finds its way. We are praying while you work and pray, and I hope to be on the cabin’s deck of a late October evening hearing all the stories and sorrows and joys that attend something so big and so sad and so clarifying.

Sending love and prayers to you and Chris and all our friends in Big Sur,

David
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david says
July 10, 2008 at 5:08 am

Hi Bernie and LouAnn,

Thanks to you, old and good friends of ours and the project. Thanks for all your help and prayers and support.

For the kids,

David

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Comments(10)

Sister Maryann Benoit says

Peggy Traverso says

Bernie & LouAnn says

Debi says

JOSEPH LATINO says

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