Our team of 6 traveled to Kenya to work alongside Dave and Jen, doing whatever needed to be done.  We worked hard, but that didn't mean we didn't have fun doing it...there is a wonderful joy in working together toward a common goal.

 

One of the main projects Dave planned for our time there was to do the annual tilapia harvest.

 

It's a big job.  The fish are caught by throwing nets into the pond...not nearly as easy as it looks.  Definitely requires a special knack!

 

The fish are sorted, throwing the little ones back and keeping the bigger ones.  They liked to flip and flop around a lot!

 

Even Flat Stanley wanted in on the fish action!

 

A surprise catch...

 

...a big old catfish that Dave gave to John, the Kenyan man who oversees the care of the MpM property.

 

When several fish had been caught, they were taken to the cleaning station.

 

Kim and Cathy made a "killer" of a team (pun intended!)...

 

Then the bucket of fish meat was taken into the Team Building, where Bill and Shirley made one dynamic packaging duo.

 

Ready for the freezer!  

Over 2 solid days of work, the team harvested about 450 fish, filling up all the freezers with enough meat to feed the babies for about a year...

 

...as well as supply the Bells and staff with a few meals too.

 

Of course, we had to try some fresh tilapia for supper!  The fish-lovers in our group declared them YUMMY!

 

Yes, it was a lot of hard work and everyone fell into bed each night exhausted.  But the work days were filled with conversation and laughter and lots of fun memorable moments!

 

After the fish were in the freezer, the crew started on other projects around the property.  Kim and Cathy spent many hours trimming bushes and trees and clearing overgrown areas.  

 

Bill and Jon worked on recaulking windows on the various buildings.

 

The toddlers at the infant rescue center loved watching Uncle Bill and Uncle Jon...

 

Being a hair stylist by trade, Shirley helped Jen cut the hair of all the littles at the center...quite a daunting task!

 

Some were not thrilled with the prospect!

As for me, I spent lots of time with the babies...feeding the infants, playing with the toddlers, helping with the laundry, and taking lots of photos!

 

Shirley was wonderful taking care of the littlest one Bilhah...those two had quite a bond by the end of our stay.

 

We can file this in the category of "Things You Never Dreamed You'd Do."  Kim was in charge of pasteurizing milk.

Not just any old milk....

Camel milk!!!  Shaddy has lots of food allergies and camel milk is the only milk he can tolerate.

They worked on fixing the washing machine drain at the infant rescue center.

 

...with plenty of toddler supervision.

 

Bill and Kim planted some vegetable seeds and did a little gardening work.

Like I said, it was not a relax-n-chill vacation...we all got a LOT accomplished!

 

But I think, of all the tasks accomplished, the most important thing we did was spend time together loving on each other and sharing our lives!

 

Cooking evening meals together (this is Indian food night...my first attempt at naan bread...)

 

Jon put together some kind of Indian sauce concoction...actually quite delicious!

A presunset walk...

A productive and fun week full of...

...joyous work.