Reflections on the halfway point, and thanks

So I'm halfway through, and I don't actually have any idea how I feel about that. There are days (see "Wishing for a Snowman") when I'd give almost anything to take a break, to just pause in the back breaking work that this is and will continue to be - and then I see the kids' smiles, and the passion of my students, and it's all worth it. I know, I've become the world's cheesiest person, I'm aware! Still, every time we jump one hurdle, another one seems to appear. After waiting three hours to see a physiotherapist, we were told we need X-Rays for Zawadi and Simoni before anything can be done. After raising (most of) the money to at least start working on the pump, a hitch delays the wire transfer, meaning a wait of at least another week. Now it turns out my organization may have mistakenly booked me into the house I'm staying at for only three months instead of four - not a huge problem since I can move into the hospital house early, but definitely a frustration since the last thing I want right now is the added stress of moving. In addition, several of my friends are leaving imminently, and I'm feeling kind of alone - moving into a house by myself isn't exactly going to help that feeling. Plus my damn fever is still there, every day, after three weeks - the literature says it should self-limit to four weeks at maximum, so in a week or so I have to head back to the specialist if it's not cleared up.

Pray and Simoni, my "twins"

BUT. There are lots of good things happening too, I don't want to sound like I'm just whining. The chickens are thriving and brooding eggs, all of the babies seem to be doing really well, with the possible exception of Ebenezer - who came in with Rezeki - and is still worryingly small. But even he is gaining. We've got vitamins set up for all the kids, and extra bone-strengthening ones for Zawadi and Simoni. The garden is all ready to go, once we can summon up the energy to weed, fertilize, and plant - but the seeds are ready and we're not far from entering the rainy season, making this perfect timing. The well project is almost fully funded, we're only about $500 off at this point (THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU, see the "How to Help" page for a full list of donors), taking a huge burden off my chest - and I know there are more generous people out there who will come through for the last part. Most importantly, the kids are HAPPY, thriving and learning and growing every day, and what more can you really ask than that?

Deep breaths and kids' smiles, I will be fine. Still on the lookout for that teleport, though.