My Day

(This is a letter that I wrote to my family yesterday. I thought that you might like to hear the inside scoop as well) Hi,

Well, I thought that I had them all to sleep, but Destiny just woke up again and is crying. It is so hot tonight that she is just miserable. Guess that rain we had yesterday marked the beginning of the miserably hot season.

Last night, right before worship, the older girls got into a spat and were really angry with each other. Roy talked to them and tried to get things worked out, but today was not a whole lot better. Finally, this evening when Thunduh said that she was not going to eat again, I went in and talked with her. I mostly just listened, but I explained to her that holding grudges only makes you sad, it does not hurt the person that you hope it will hurt. Well, I don't know if it was the listening, or something I said, but she cheered right up, and went to eat supper with me. She was a changed girl! The other girls were so shocked and happy that they have been singing my praises, and each others praises all evening. At bedtime, ALL of the girls piled onto my bed for our talk time. (Andrew and Travis went up to GWM to build two huge looms for weaving skirts yesterday, so they were not here)

Anyway, after supper and chores, the girls all wanted to go ride bikes, so I gave them permission. About 30 minutes later, I heard Khen yelling for me to come quick, and I jumped up and saw her carrying Hannah in her arms with a truly terrified expression on her face. I thought for sure that Hannah had been run over by a truck or something. But, upon inspection, I discovered that it was only her foot...she managed to do the same thing that I did when I was six... she got her foot caught in the spokes of the bike. She did not tear her heal off like I did, but it did take off the skin in the back, and bruised up the top and front of her foot. I checked it out pretty good, and I am worried that there might be some internal damage, but I can't tell how bad yet. She cannot push or pull with her foot, and she will not put any weight on it at all. She cried and cried for me to just put a band-aid on it. I did a bit more than that, I put on a huge white bandage and then an ace wrap. I will check it again tomorrow, and then if I feel it is necessary, I will take her to the hospital, although I have NO confidence in them! Nothing like a bit of excitement to liven things up!

One of the things that really struck me about Hannah's accident was the reaction of both Khen and Thunduh. They were expecting us to hit them and yell at them for letting Hannah get hurt! They told me that it is normal for parents to be mean to kids when someone gets hurt. Khen told me that when her little sister fell out of the tree and broke her arm, her father beat her with sticks for getting hurt, and then he beat the other kids because they did not prevent her from getting hurt. When we did not blame Khen or Thunduh, they were amazed, and they have been talking about it all evening. It seems so simple to me, but little things like that are what make a huge difference in their lives.

We let Ahmesow go home today. He does not have papers, but he does have a family, so we cannot take him with us. That was hard since I know that he is not in a good home, but we could not do anything else at this point. I did talk to him a lot before he left about talking to God when he is scared or needs help. He said that he will do what is right and not forget God. He told me that they offered him beetle nut, and he would not touch it.

Travis and Andrew just got back! I could tell before I heard the motor bike due to the cheering from the dorm...Guess Khen is happy that they are back or something!

I should get going...I know that the boys will be in shortly to talk.

Lisa