I did promised to get back to you after the weekend. Thank God, I still have great access to internet. Though unpredictable, we've had connection here almost every day or every other day.

We had a great weekend; watched a movie and more pictures, few singing with drums.

Sunday morning, I was up at 6:00AM and tried to help get everybody ready for the day: a morning prayer service at 9:00AM, some little shopping and few meetings. I really put them under pressure with my American notion of time. By the way, when I am in US, I am often African with time. When I am in Africa, I really struggle to be African because I try to stick to the American way (hit and run, drive tru, etc.).

Anyway, I managed to get all the kids and few staff to the Church we had planned to attend. I had to make two trips within a distance of 10 miles one way. The older kids had to curry the younger ones on their laps for more room; this helped us make two trips instead of four.

When we got there, the first prayer service was still going on and we had to wait somewhere for 45 minutes. Instead of 9:00Am, we started our service 45 minutes after 9:00Am, African time!!

We had good time any way, and went back. We had to drive to the main city for fuel since we were running low. This was a big blessing to the kids; a long ride to the city, bingo! We drove and everybody was trying to look around and enjoy the buildings, people, the airport and others.

Four kids were asked to refrain from going to Church because they were sick. I tell you these little fellows were miserable and most of them cried. We thought we were done with chicken pox, but just got new cases. Three kids are sick since last Saturday and we are aggressively trying to go ahead of this px with antibiotics.

Betty is the young and bright face you see here in the picture; she came back to us after spending few months of intensive care at a local hospital by nuns. She was having tuberculosis and was extremely malnurished. She is looking so much better than before, but still battling Tuberculosis with a long term treatment and it is working well so far. Sunday, she got quite sick and was throwing up a lot. She wanted so bad to be held (she is so much in need of affection); lost her mother when she was still a baby. She was given some special attention, was fed, held and talked to. She asked me to pray for her and I did right there with some other kids who joined me. Within few hours, betty's fever was gone and she was doing better. Betty is one of the fascinating stories we have around here. She is cute, funny and can get away very well with her techniques for affection; needs a mother's warmth a lot.

We had some games, boys dressed up like soldiers or police and I had to stay away from being an army commander or chief of police. Enjoy the blog and let us know how you all are doing and what we can do for you in this end.

We are still working very hard on water problem, 4th grade, desks and nurse office/station. Will be sorting out some few items from the container stock tomorrow.

Keep the prayers and best wishes going up for us here! TO KO ZONGA....find out what it means or ask Paul and Doug!

Well, the weekend is here and everybody looks forward to some fun time; we are under pressure because we made some big promise: spend the weekend with them for another great movie time. Fr. Gabe completely forgot to bring some nice kids movies. Tomorrow... no idea!!!! Praying... you guys can't overnight we guess... will let you know.

Taking you back few days ago is not too bad; Fr. Gabe has really been trying to work on some special projects and organizing meetings and spending time with the kids. Many people around know by now that he is in town. Now and then, he tries to walk by very fast, ignoring or hiding from the onlooking neighbors; somebody will shout: Father, is that you? We know you are around; come say at least hello to us. They say it in local language, very respectful, loving and... Apology and amendments are the way to go. One of our strategic plans for a safer neighborhood is to try and develop some friendship with our neighbors. Most of our employees and volunteers come from around. You will not believe it, some of them are seriously learning English from a local teacher after we encouraged all to consider English as a fourth, fifth or even sixth or senven language, especially all those working with us.

Two days ago, Fr. Gabe was moved by a grandma, probably in her seventies. She asked him to stop by as he was galloping his way to the orphanage. She was begging, she had not eating since morning and it was around 3:00Pm. After a quick investigation she sounded genuine, really struggling. She emotionally begged and lamented saying that she was not a "thief" and knew Fr. Gabe was a man of God. She was given something like 3 dollars, sending Fr. Gabe forth with lots of blessings. It is very painful to see how many like this old woman and many kids are left to fend for themselves. Fr. Gabe was moved with pity and sadness. How long is this gona last? In Congo, 7 to 8 children and adults are either malnurished or severely undernurished.

Yesterday, the taxi-bus fr. Gabe boarded was stopped by the traffic police and a fight broke between the two police officers and the driver and his assitant. They all fought for two things: the control of the vehicle and the driver's license; it was scary! Fr. Gabe and some passengers tried to intervene, but no way! all had to leave the vehicle and its owners at mercy of the police officers who definitely wanted a bribe they are acustomed to. Fr. Gabe shook his head and exhorted the officers to some honest and kind way of dealing with the driver and his team. The next vehicle Fr. Gabe boarded, one passenger came out of it with a bleeding finger; he had cut himself inside the vehicle. Most of these public transport vehicles are survivors of many accidents and cosmetic makeover that they have sharp metals around waiting to cut skins or tear clothes.

It is another world when you are out there and it is another when you get to the orphanage; find peace and joy, I don't know about quiet! Those little guys are naturally and supernaturally noisy mos the time.

This should be enough for today. I plan to bring you some personal stories of the kids; quite fascinating stories of surval. Stay with us, stay tuned...

Please, wish us a nice, fun-filled weekend! Same to you!

Greetings from Congo!
Fr. Gabe is doing fine and staying very busy, stressed up, frustrated now and then; public transportation is a headache and big risk; being pushed and kicked while trying to board a bus or a taxi, time consuming, a lot of fume and dust in the air; but also joyful and fulfilled especially when he says his prayers and stays focused, when he thinks of the children and you. Two reasons he gives: very tough living conditions here and trying to achieve a lot within this few days. However, do not worry about him; just pray and stay tuned. And it will not be the case when you come for a visit because we will have a vehicle for transportation and you’ll spend most of your time away from fume and dust; nobody will push or kick you unless you elect to go for an experience among the common people, the poor who wrestle every single day for a living; Fr. Gabe has a strong devotion for the poor and can handle it just like one of them. One of his favorite Scripture passage is Phil. 4:11-13.

Able to go online, thank God! It also works as stress release tool. Chicken pox got the best among the kids and most of them have recovered from; our nurse is a hero; just with very basic means, she got all of them out of it; some of the drugs are those we brought last year. You heard the stories of two older kids who got sick because they courageously offered to watch over those who were sick and in isolation; they attended to their needs and everybody here was moved by the heroic love these two showed to their younger brothers and sisters.
Fr. Gabe’s presence is a joy here; knowing that you are there for them is even more joy and hope. Holding lots of meetings for evaluation, training and building them all into one family, children and staff. Biggest needs and tasks: the school/4th grade/more desks, expansion of the water thank, more beds and basic furniture, a playground, nurse station/dispensary, and more. We are working on, but funds might not be enough since we have to always make sure there is something for food and medical needs.
We definitely need some big money to get to the next level, especially with school, water, furniture, medical clinic or at least the dispensary; trusting in the Good Lord we all love and serve.

You will not believe it, Fr. Gabe projected last year pictures and pictures of friends like you, pictures of USA; it was a joy, a celebration and a great movie time. They were screaming and naming all those who visited last year, blowing kisses (Congo way); we had tears in our eyes; a laptop and a projector, a real movie theater, never seen before!

Since Fr. Gabe got here a week ago, he has ran into some exciting stories to tell; warmly welcome by the kids and the entire Community; songs and drums were so beautiful. They love to sing and we hope to teach them two English songs this coming week.
The next day after first visit, a very long staff meeting and evening meal got delayed. A boy softly let us know that he felt like eating the house roof. Fr. Gabe felt so guilty that he went to the kitchen for quick serving. By the way, they often have two meals a day; now and then we try three meals, but the budget is not strong enough for three meals.
Available clean water is our daily worry until fixed; not enough! Fr. Gabe went shopping last Saturday; bought a cassette/CD player, two big water containers and one drinking water “reservoir” he plans to re-engineer for quick access to drinking water; wait and see his engineering skills; also bought some door locks. It is really “fun” shopping here; come and find out!
Last Sunday, we had a very nice prayer service. Before that, Fr. Gabe took around 15 kids for a ride as he was looking for some prayer materials for the day. It was jubilation for those who were selected and real mourning for those who were not; you know, they don’t go out that much and always long for a chance to see “outside”; we can’t afford frequent outings/field trips; we are trying to work on this and actually trying to come up with a program that will help us sponsor activities like outings, field trips, picnics, weekends at families.
After prayer, we had a meeting with some parents and legal guardians who were invited; all of them were either grandmas or mothers. We had a nice meeting and they left after visiting with the kids. Some kids of course have nobody at all to come for them; we try our best to keep them less troubled.

My family is doing fine and sending warm greetings. Keep us all in your prayers!
Let me keep something for tomorrow or the next days. Stay with us for more…

Yes and thanks to Paul Pickle, we are back blogging! This time is Fr. Gabriel alone; he left USA Monday early in the morning for the orphanage mission in Congo. He made it very safely and is already on the run with visits and meetings.
We are a little bit behind at this point and promise to catch up on this lone ranger mission trip.
One thing we want to quickly share with you and ask for your thoughts and prayers is the health of our orphans; around 6 of them are having chicken pox; we are monitoring the situation very closely and fighting back with antibiotics. Fr. Gabriel is prepared ot be next; possible!
60 kids all together, not easy to control this situation without it going from one kid to another.

UUh! The weather is not too bad compare to last year, and lest dust.
Fr. Gabriel lost his nice camera, forgot it in Ethiopian flight from Rome to Addis Abbba; will try with some very little cameras.
We killed quite a big snake today near the kids dormitory as it was trying to go across the land. Want a picture of it? Tomorrow! Animal control could not be reached and they have never been reached by the way....
To ko zonga lobi!