July 2 - Housekeeping

This morning I did my first load of laundry. Let me just say I am now more thankful than ever to the person who invented the washing machine.  Doing a whole load (or two) by hand is tough work!  It took me about an hour and fifteen minutes to wash, rinse, and hang my clothes. But, they're clean!

Jenna, Jayme, Annie (a new girl,) and I signed up for a safari today!  We got a missionary discount, so it only cost us $230 each for three safaris, meals, and a cabin. I'm so excited!

We spent this afternoon in the village of Khwamba, helping a team from Tulsa, OK do a VBS type thing with the kids. It was fun playing with the kids and meeting other uzungus. :) Unfortunately, on the drive home, Jenna got sick just like I had. She was sick all evening (she threw up about five times, I think) but is sleeping now, so hopefully she'll feel better in the morning.  I've done my best to help her out - I understand her pain!

Playing games at Khwamba

Tonight, Mike wanted to have an authentic nsima dinner (ugh) and we were all helping Laita in the kitchen.  She offered to teach one of us how to make nsima and I volunteered. I figured it would be like exposure therapy. Making nsima is tough work!  By the time I get back to the States, I am going to be buff. Anyway, my nsima turned out nicely, but I could only make myself eat one bite.  It still makes me queasy.  I just made a meal of the relishes.

Mike and Jayme making relishes with Laita

Making nsima under Laita's watchful eye. (picture by Annie)

It's working! (Too bad I won't eat it.)

As is our "tradition," Mike, Jayme, and I popped popcorn after dinner and prior to the night World Cup game.  Mike made regular popcorn with butter, and Jayme and I made the most amazing batch of kettle corn EVER.  We have attempted it before, but it has never turned out as perfectly as tonight. Mmm..... The two of us were in a friendly competition with Mike to see whose popcorn was more popular.  Gerda liked ours better and Annie like Mike's. We'll call it a tie. :)

The only other downer today besides Jenna getting sick is that Ghana lost to Uruguay tonight and won't be moving on. It was quite a stressful game. They had to go to penalty kicks after 30 minutes of overtime and the score was only 1-1.  On the bright side, the Netherlands won today, so Gerda is happy!