It was the best of times ... it was the worst of times

Hello Friends

I don't know about you but I find it very hard to know what to write here when things are tough. I never know if it is a good thing to put too many negative things on or if it makes people feel like we are somehow making things seem worse than they are.

SO please read this post (and all my posts really)with the awareness that this is just me, the human being who often feels weak and unequal to the task set before me.

When I was growing up there was a fun fair ride called the "Cocopan" at a local theme park. It was like a big boat that swung back and forth slowly at first and gradually faster and faster until the riders were almost perpendicular with the ground at it's highest swing. I get so ill on Rollercoasters and so I never had the courage to ride on it but I could feel the anticipation as the riders hung suspended for a moment and then the feeling of relief when they were caught safely back into their seats.

Well, this is what life has been like for a long time here at TLC. There are a million of these swings that go on in every aspect of our day and it wears one down.

The month end loomed large and menacingly on the horizon for us this August. Our cleaners, cooks and farm workers all treading water waiting for the reprieve of another months wages only to find that the balance on our bank accounts stayed at the zero mark. We managed to drag some money from other projects to pay everyone half and thanks to some of our international friends we could settle the rest within the week but people are not happy.



The insecurity wears you down.
Salaries are only one component of the crises.
What about kids like Paul whose medication keeps him functioning but costs a fortune.
What about the petrol that we need to get to school, clinics and meetings?
What about paying the electric bill ...
What about the empty bread cupboard ...
What about ...
What about ....

I know you all know what I'm talking about but it helps me to put it down ~ it's a little cathartic :-)

Zoe was very ill this month and we all felt true terror when an x-ray revealed "an abnormality" on the base of her skull. After a visit to a Neuro surgeon and an MRI investigation the doctor was satisifed that the swelling is stress and tension related and therefore could be treated non-invasively. A small consolation when life is throwing all its weight around!

The farm continues to make progress and we are happy to announce the addition of 3 new goats to the flock and we are still expecting a few more.

There are 2 females and a male so far.

The calves born in May and July are doing well. We are planning to wean them in the near future which will allow us to milk twice a day and supplement TLC's milk costs even further. So far we have been able to reduce our purchase of milk from 175L per week to just 50L ~ a great saving and very satisfying aspect of the farm. Joshua (my volunteer) and I are in charge of pasturising the milk and have learned how to make our own butter from the cream so that is another nice saving.

May having a look to see what was left after milking

We also now make our own laundry washing liquid which has the potential to save us almost R4000 per month ~ one more salary saved!

Sibu mixing the washing liquid

We had 2 birthdays this week. Both Theresa and Alexander celebrated a birthday on the 4th!
We got a donation of muffins and doughnuts from the fabulous confectionery company called Rich's and they were able to blow out their candles.

Theresa turned 10!

Alex's first birthday! Big Brother Matthew helped blow out his candle.

Yesterday saw a huge rain/ hail storm arrive in Johannesburg. Quite uncharacteristic for so early in the season and everything got a thorough soaking.

Playground turned Pond

Tiny hail covers the paving

The big girls throwing hail balls.

With all the rain and cold that came along with it, FOUR of our vehicles broke down leaving us having to do some major logisitical gymnastics to get everyone home from school again and forcing Joanna to have to leave some of her kids with Mom for the night as the only available car did not have enough space for all of her family.

Unfortunately our cars have been sorely neglected in favour of buying food and medicines and now we are crippled every other day when one or the other vehicle won't move.

We had a visitor here the other day who shook their head and commented on how irresponsible it was for us to allow things to get so bad around here. I was sore pressed not to make a sharp retort about how easy things might look from his perspective but how very very sickening it is to have to make those kind of choices and decide on those priorities. When the cloth has been cut and it is too small there is only so tightly you can curl and only so much of yourself you can cover.

Anyway ...

The kids are all well and full of the joys of spring.

Playing in the Sprinkler at the new farm

Theresa and Rayne enjoying an afternoon chat

We continue on in faith and thank you all for your heartfelt prayers and support.

We Love You All
Pippa