Rita Montgomery

Solid Rock Carpenters

My next volunteer opportunity will take me to Bogalusa, Louisiana, about 70 miles north of New Orleans, to work with Habitat for Humanity (H4H) to help victims of Hurricane Katrina. I will be teaming up with Solid Rock Carpenters (check them out at www.solidrockcarpenters.org) who partner with H4H. The goal is to frame 10 homes in 5 days! Pretty wild!! Once the homes are standing, smaller groups of volunteers will continue working on the finishing aspects of building through the winter and spring. Families will be working along side our team on the construction of their homes. I can't wait to become a solid rock carpenter!!

Road Trip with Pops

South Africa Farewells

Where do I begin?    I arrived almost two weeks ago and it is so amazing!!  While touring the grounds on my first day - and picture beige domes which make up our compound or village which is enclosed by a secure gate - we were touring the hospice and specifically the baby unit.  We walked in and all of a sudden, all these little ones came crawling out of nowhere!  I quickly bent down and scooped up one little one and placed him on my knee, and then scooped up another little girl and placed her on my other knee.  Unfortunately I did not scoop up a little boy who was not pleased with me, and he quickly chomped on my knee giving me quite a startle and leaving me with a full impression of his teeth!  I am on the watch for him every time I enter the unit.

The village is situated in the middle of local suburbia and is run by the Rev. Corine McClintock who is an incredible woman.  She founded this hospice in her home back in 1992 and has successfully managed the growth where today there are over 230 residents.  I believe this is the first aids village in the world, which is nonprofit and is fully reliant on donations.  The motto is "Get up and Live" and they live it well.

I was asked to assist with the babies and unfortunately when I arrived, we had five babies in the hospital at one time - can you imagine?  When a baby or child is in the hospital, a care worker from the home will be present with the child to ensure they are being taken care of, just like a mother would be with her child if in the hospital.  So I have been loving some of the most beautiful little babies - holding them, feeding them, changing nappies, changing sheets, and just being with them.  And the good news is that all are back home except one little one who we hope to have home very soon. 

Back at the home, I am able to visit the baby unit throughout the day and assist with feeding and entertaining.  Oh they are so cute!  We have one little one who is quite stubborn and so frail - she has little arms and legs that look like sticks and can not sit up on her own.  She doesn't like to be touched by those she does not know and she lets you know it.  I was so excited when just this week she let me touch thumbs with her - a loving gesture where you touch thumbs and twist them apart and say "sharp", although it sounds like shhaaarrp!  She waves her hands, claps her hands, and blows kisses - those just melt my heart!  And there is one little one who loves to dance, you just clap your hands and she is on, so very cute.  There are two tiny babies that weigh absolutely nothing and feeding them is a very slow process.  As you can imagine, one is cuter than the next and it is something very special to be with them.

We have a toddler unit where the babies will graduate to - they are adorable, and then a Kresch (sure I am misspelling this word) which is similar to a preschool.  The rest of our children are in school and return home around 1.30pm.  Following lunch, we have rooms set up to assist the children with their homework.  I assist if there is a need, or there is a great library and will have the children read or read with them.  And then we play games - frisbee, board games or whatever.  They love the attention and I really enjoy the one on one, however that is probably the biggest challenge. 

This week our children have the week off from school so we will be very busy with activities to have something special for them.  We have movies scheduled, ice skating, laser tag, go carting and a play.

And on Saturdays we have sleepovers where we invite four children to stay with the volunteers, which are myself and one other.  It is something special for them and us, and we rotate to give everyone a sleepover.  Last week it was the boys so tonite it will be the girls.  We are making homemade pizza, crust and all.  Thank you for all your prayers and continued support - the children and I greatly appreciate it! 

Did you say road trip?

After a very sad evening of good-byes, I woke up feeling just yucky!  It is hard to explain, but I know these children receive many unkept promises from the parents they do have, and am sure it is difficult to have people in and out of their lives.  I know I will see them again before I return to the states, however I could not tell them that at this time.  So it was more hugs and kisses, with a huge lump in my throat, as we prepared to take the older children to school.  On the drive, I quickly pulled out my camera and had the children make funny faces.  We all had fun enjoying all the pictures we had taken.  They are very good at making silly faces!

Lana and Tyler dropped me off at the East London Airport where I rented a car for my road trip through the Garden Coast.  Thank you Marilyn for the suggestion to drive this part of the country, it really is stunning!  As I pulled out of the lot, I soon realized I had no power steering, no power windows, and no power seats.  Well when you are on a budget, you get what you get! 

My first day's drive took me along the Indian Ocean coastline which was stunning.  At one point, a monkey crossed the highway.  All by his lonesome, just walking across the highway.  Pretty funny!  As I left a very dry Komga area, I found the coastline to be a beautiful green, with plush, rich foliage.  And then the mountain range started which was amazing!  The road twists and turns, winds up hills, and rolls back down, offering a beautiful sight over each new turn.  I would be driving along, then up over a hill, and see this beautiful ocean view, just stunning.  The mountain cliffs were along one side of the highway, with the ocean on the other.  The hillsides were painted with color as the flowers were blooming.  You would see beautiful homes in the cliffs overlooking the ocean, and then you would come upon a township made up of plywood hammered together to create a home.  I ended the first day of driving staying at a lovely B&B on the water in Wilderness which was very charming.

Day two began driving along the coastline headed towards the southern most point of South Africa.  There are so many bays that invite you to stop and enjoy all they have to offer.  The shoreline was again stunning with beautiful views all along the way.  I found the southern most tip, Cape Ag, to be very flat and very rocky.  That evening I made it to Hermanus, which is known as the land capital of whale watching.  Upon driving through the town, I parked and was able to see the whales in the bay, wow!!  They are just something to behold!!

This day began with a walk along the cliffs in search of whales.  It was wonderful!  And I saw so many whales!  They were lifting their tails in the water, they were rolling on top of the water, and they were blowing water!  It was so exciting!  There were Moms and their calves.  I didn't want to leave!  Next on my road trip was a visit to the wine country.  It was suggested that I take a mountain pass into the wine country so I did.  What a beautiful ride!  I am not sure I was actually on a road, it was dirt, was graded in some places, and not in others, however it was a beautiful ride through the mountains.  As I was winding down the mountain, coming out of a hairpin turn, I found a bunch of monkeys playing around, or monkeying around on the road!  They were too funny!  Of course I had to pull over and enjoy their antics for some time.  Froenschoek is a very beautiful, pristine, artsy, wine town with a French flair to it.  The next stop was at a winery called Spier in Stellenbosch.  It is not only a winery, it also has a cheetah reserve which is where I went right away.  I was able to pet four baby cheetahs who were just adorable.  This evening I made it to Gordon's Bay and stayed at a lovely Beach Lodge.

And the next day, I finally made it into Cape Town.  What a beautiful city!  I started exploring at the Waterfront which is filled with shops, restaurants, and anything a tourist could possibly want.  I had hoped to visit Robben Island however they were sold out of tickets for two days.  So I explored the waterfront and then ventured over to Table Mountain and rode the cable car to the top of the mountain - absolutely stunning!  The views were amazing from the top!!  I was able to stay in Gordon's Bay another evening so returned to the Beach Lodge. 

And for my last day of holiday before beginning my next volunteer work, I chose to continue driving along the coast and find the penguin colony.  It is known as Stoney Point and is located in Betty's Bay and is quite amazing.  It is a marine and nature reserve with built in planks or walk ways around the reserve.  The walk takes you through a colony of penguins living on the coast line and the rocks.  The penguins have built tunnels and nests under the shrubs and in the ground, and would scamper all around.  They would hide under the plankways and then peek out - lots of fun to watch.  There were lots of chubby, fuzzy babies which I believe is a definite sign of a healthy colony.  The ride back to Gordon's Bay was along the coast, with the mountain cliffs on one side, and the ocean on the other.  I felt if I just leaned a little to the right, I would roll right into the ocean.  A very exhilarating ride! 

I was not able to work with the Sisters of the Missionaries of Charity in Cape Town and will try to locate them in Joberg.  Tomorrow I meet with volunteers of Sparrow Ministries and will begin serving with them.  Thank you again for all your many prayers for the children and for me, we all appreciate them. 

Spring is here....

Sunday was a beautiful day!  The birds were singing, the sun was shining, flowers were blooming, everything was alive with the signs of spring.   Following mass, where our children were the little angels that they are, we all went outside and played the morning away.

Lunch was baked chicken, butternut squash, coleslaw, beet salad and was absolutely delicious!!  We had two birthdays to celebrate; so Namavah, Sikelelwa and I made a vanilla birthday cake with chocolate frosting.  Oh, it was so good!!  Then it was back outside where we blew bubbles galore and read lots of stories.  Dinner was scrambled eggs with homemade bread - again, so very good! 

Shortly after dinner, Siyathemba (See-yah-tem-bah) and I sat down to do some reading.  As often is the case, one of the littler ones will wander over, climb up into your lap, and listen or practice along silently.  Before I knew it, little Nomandla (No-man-dlah), who is one of the triplets, had fallen asleep in my lap.  Siyathemba and I continued with his reading.  There are so many special little moments like this throughout my day.  These kids are just amazing and I love my time with them. 

Monday morning arrived early and we were on our way.  Both of the children's schools are surrounded with a locked fence, and we always make sure our older children are delivered safely inside the school grounds, while our younger children are delivered safely inside the school before we depart.  Today as I walked the five younger ones into the school, I noticed the two teachers were not present, so I hung around to wait for them.  They soon arrived and shared that someone had stolen all the copper piping.  The school had no water.  The teachers were in the process of organizing the delivery of water.  Unfortunately this school will be canceled until Friday when they will be able to again have running water.  The copper pipes are a hot commodity over here as we had our pipes stolen last week.  It is a shame.  Can you imagine stealing from a pre-school?

Our pre-school teacher at the home was not able to teach today, so once again Tyler and I took the lead with teaching our little ones.  We did much better than last Monday, however I have noticed that they sure do behave better for Miss Christine.  I think it is that big ruler she carries around with her!

It was another lovely spring day and the children couldn't wait to play outside.  You should see them do the "Hokey Pokey,"  they are so cute when they turn themselves around!!  When the older ones arrived home from school, they quickly ate their lunch, and we headed out for riding lessons.  The farm was wild today.  There was one baby goat who was only one hour old when we arrived - so cute!!  And did I tell you last week, there were twin goats born?  Baby goats are the cutest!  And today four little shetland ponies were horsing around - I just had to say that!  They were adorable!  The goats (about 60 of them), all came right up to us looking for food.  And when it was time to feed the big horses, they became wild and had to be separated so as not to hurt the new filly.  I don't know what was going on, but our four had a tough time concentrating as there was so much happening all around them.  It is a great little farm, just crazy today!

Following dinner, I read the children some of their favorite stories.  I told them I had to leave tomorrow and how much I loved them and my time with them.  I wasn't sure if they all understood, however they all gave me a big hug and a big kiss.  We finished our stories and I tucked them all in - going into their different rooms.  The boys sleep in a round hovel - that's what it sounds like and I am not sure how to spell it.  The round hovel is a typical Xhosa home.  The round hovel is one round room with a light in the center.  I share this because it is a great room for making shadows with your hands on the walls which we usually do before the boys go to sleep.  So tonight we were playing with shadows and then it was hugs and good night.  I returned to my room in a puddle of tears and started to pack. 

Soon after Tyler shared that the boys were upseet and I might want to talk with them.  I returned to the round hovel to find the four older boys in tears - they did understand that I was leaving.  This is definitely my hardest goodbye.  As tears were flowing down my face, I shared with them how happy they made we.  I told them that I would tell everyone what good boys they are, how they work hard at school, and how they are great big brothers to their younger sisters and brothers.  And I wanted them to know that Auntie Rita loves them very, very much.  I was able to comfort them and waited until each one fell asleep.  I returned to my room in tears. 

We will take the children to school tomorrow and then Lana will take me on to East London to continue my travels. Tomorrow is going to be a very tough day for the biggest kid........    

They're Back.....

My little angels are back, halos slightly crooked, but back nevertheless!  We have had such a busy week - I do not know where the time goes.  And everyone was healthy!!  No trips to the clinic this week!

A couple of days this week when we woke up, our yard was filled with cows.  They seem to find a way in through a gate or over a gate, and we head out to herd them out of the yard.  It can be quite comical to see the little ones shooing the cows out of the yard.  Today I was chasing one out, well walking him out, and he went into our shed.  I thought, what is he doing?  And can he get out?  I had to walk all the way around a number of buildings to get to the front of the shed, and sure enough, he had just walked right through the front door of the shed.  Very clever cows.

And I had two baths this week!  We found a solution to our water shortage and were able to tap into a quarry of crystal clear water.  This meant that we needed to drain the reservoir tank and clean it out before we refilled it, so it was an extra bath.  I am smelling fine!!

A number of the children and I made rice krispie treats this week.  I wasn't sure if they had ever tasted the ingredients before so as every good chef does, we tried our ingredients first.  As Namhla (Gnom-shla) tasted a marshmallow, she said "Niiccceee."  And then all the others repeated her exactly after they tasted it.  As Namhla tasted the rice krispies, she said, you guessed it, "Niiccceee."  And so did everyone else.  Very cute!  We had the treats later that day for snacks and all the children said, "Niiccceee."

This week we received a call and Tyler's lost bag was recovered and was in East London.  So Lana, Tyler and I made a trek into the city to do our grocery shopping and to claim his lost bag.  As it was Tyler's birthday this week, we also had a pizza outing, and it was delicious! 

The children have been very busy with lots of activities.  We made these great little puppets - lions, tigers, monkeys and elephants - which they are enjoying.  Thank you, Aunt Sue!  They are getting the hang of "Simon Says"; love "Duck, Duck, Goose"; and really don't like "Musical Chairs."  The little ones all cry when they do not have a chair to sit in!  Tyler and I work with the older children on their reading, and all the children love to have stories read to them.  They also love nursery rhymes or children's songs and will sing right along.

Friday's night dinner was something new.  It was like a big, hot, tasty doughnut.  Really good but really filling.  They call them "Fat Cakes."  And you feel pretty fat after eating them!  Tyler and I each had three!  Yikes!  I will be rolling home!!

Today was the first day of spring for us, so after lunch, we took the nine oldest children and went to the sea.  It was beautiful!  The children went right into the waves and had a blast!  We built sand castles, collected shells, went for long walks along the shoreline, and just enjoyed the beautiful sea.  It is an outing that we all love.

I will be leaving this home next week and taking a couple of days exploring Cape Town before I begin serving with Sparrow Ministries.  I can't imagine leaving yet!  I will post pictures of the children next week from an I Cafe so stay tuned.  All is well on the other side of the world!  Thank you for your prayers for all of us!  Much love!

Where, Oh Where are my Little Angels....

On Monday, the little ones became little monsters!  They were all picking on each other,  taking each other's things, whining, hitting each other, and all crying!  Tyler and I were exhausted by 9.00 am!  We were anxiously looking forward to the arrival of our preschool teacher, who we soon found out would not be able to make it that day.  Oh no!  I don't know what was up!  We managed throughout the morning by team teaching, and it actually was quite amusing.  We introduced a new concept of "time out".  Not something that is often used over here, however we felt we needed it for all of us. 

The winds were so strong that day and blowing wildly all around the house.  So strong that the contractors had to cancel play outside.  I am sure the winds affect the children in some manner - or I shall choose to blame the winds for their behavior that day.

Later in the afternoon, the four older children had their riding lessons.  They are doing great and really enjoying it.  When we arrived, we found that one of the horses had a baby filly over the weekend.  She is a beautiful little grey filly with lots of spirit.  I thought of you Betty, and how much fun you would have with these horses.  The children are learning on a pony named Surprise, however she has a number of beautiful thoroughbreds on the farm.  You would love it!

We have had two new entrees for dinner - one is samp and beans.  Samp is corn, and more specifically the white kernels.  This dish is mixed with kidney beans, carrots, and onions and is pretty good.  You are able to spice it up with a hot red curry which is very flavorful.  The other one was an African salad made with melee meal (ground samp or white corn) with amas or sour milk poured over it.  I wasn't so keen on that dish, especially since there was a fresh loaf of homemade bread with peanut butter calling out to me.

While the children are in school, we are working on a number of items like preparing a complete inventory for the home, compiling all the children's current sizes for clothing and shoes, and other types of master lists for Lana.  Yesterday Tyler and I took a long walk around the farm with our walking sticks (thinking the vibrations will shoo away any unwanted creatures).  It was very peaceful and afforded a beautiful view of the countryside.  We saw two herons which I later learned are snake hunters - we like them very much.  The walk home was all uphill and I am feeling it today. 

Know we are all well and I am realizing my time is going way too fast with these children.  I will be leaving next week and can't imagine saying goodbye yet.   

I Love Sundays.....

We began our day by taking nine of the children to the interdenominational church in Komga.  Richard and Erna, the pastoral couple, run the parish.  There are a number of churches in this little village, and this one is very welcoming, very passionate, and very inspiring.  I enjoy Richard's sermons as he is very knowledgeable about the Bible and has a way of weaving the readings into today's world.  Everyone is greeted as you arrive, the service is opened with a sharing of the scripture, and then there is a very lively choir who are able to get everybody singing along, dancing and moving however the spirit moves them!  It is very refreshing and uplifting.  After about 45 minutes, the children are invited into another room for activities specifically for them, and then Richard continues sharing the gospel readings.  Parishioners are welcomed to share any testimonials or readings if they choose.  The building is always packed and it is a joy to celebrate God with this community.

When we returned home, we had some excitement!  One of the children noticed a snake slithering under the garage door!  Aaugh!!  None of us like snakes, and I am told there are many poisonous ones in the area.  We all ran way around the garage and called on our friend, Murray, to help us out with the snake.  It was an incredibly windy day today so we played outside for about an hour before lunch.  We also had some cattle that somehow got through or over a fence and ended up in the front yard; so Lana, Tyler, Theodore and I  herded cattle out of our yard.  One was a really big bull, and once they were moving, they found their way out which was the same way they got in.   

Lunch today was our Sunday baked chicken dinner - yummy!!  With sweet potatoes, butternut squash, spinach, and rice.  It was delicious!  And we had a birthday to celebrate so we made a birthday cake which was enjoyed by all. 

Right after lunch, Murray arrived with two of his friends to assist in the snake hunt.  We weren't sure if the snake was still in the garage or if he moved on.  As we opened the garage door, the snake started to slither out.  He was big and nasty.  Murray and his friends told us it was a poisonous snake, a puffer adder, or something like that.  They were able to kill the snake and take it with them.  We were all grateful and will be able to sleep a little easier tonite.

We all voted for a movie afternoon today, since Tyler brought a number of movies with him.  The Princess Bride was our movie choice and everyone settled in for about two hours to enjoy the movie.

Dinner followed - we had homemade bread - delicious!  Yes, you guessed it.  I am sure I am gaining weight over here!  Everything is so good!!  And then it was story time.  A Pastor dropped off about three boxes of story books and they are great!  The children and I love them!  We have lots of choices to read, and we are getting through the boxes.  Tonite the children definitely wore Tyler and myself out!  We were going to watch a movie but opted for another night!  All our little munchkins are tucked safely in bed!  Good night and God bless!

Troops to the Rescue....

On Thursday, Lana and I picked up a young volunteer named Tyler who is from the states.  He is great!!  He is a recent college grad and will be at Opens Arms Home for five or six months.  The children were immediately drawn to him.  What a great role model for these children!!  And I am excited to have another volunteer to share the children with!

Today was a gorgeous day so we played outside all morning - they love the "hokey pokey", "duck, duck, goose", and "red light, green light".  Musical chairs was a bit more of a challenge as the little ones always cry when they don't get a chair.  We will continue to work on that game.  We also collected and painted rocks.

About half the children assisted with making lunch today which was pizza.  They are great helpers and were involved with kneading the dough, rolling the dough out, shredding the cheese, and sprinkling ingredients on the pizza.  The pizzas were delicious!!

Then we took the nine older children to the sea!  It was so much fun!!  We all ran along the beach, in and out of the waves, collected shells and stones.  Then it was up to the dunes!  Lots of races up and down the dunes, playing in the sand, and just enjoying all the beach had to offer.  The children are great singers and lots of songs are sung as we are riding in the van.  Today was the first time I heard them sing a native Xhosa song which was great!  I hope to record them.  We thought we had worn the children out pretty good, however I think they all got a second wind following dinner!  They sure have some energy!!

I on the other hand do not have a second wind!  It will be a bath, maybe some reading, and I shall sleep soundly knowing all our munchkins are safe.