Black Friday...

Friday was the most challenging day I have encountered for a while. In the afternoon we were asked to help at a colleague's house and see what caused the water leaks in the ceiling and, earlier on, water shooting out of the overhang.

Henk decided that cutting a hole in the ceiling where the leak was, was the best starting point. As he started cutting he accidentally hit the hot water line. The result was a waterfall that just didn't stop. Julie, in whose home we were, was able to tell us where the turn off was for the main. Henk climbed on the roof and turned one tap off. It still didn't stop and Henk remembered that there was a hot water tank as well. He climbed up again. Then the water finally stopped.

Henk and I were totally soaked as we tried to bail as quickly as we could with two brooms.

We phoned for help and our neighbour and colleague Peter arrived on the scene. Henk and Peter fixed the cut line but never found the leak. They did find more water puddled on the ceiling boards (most likely from another older leak) and Peter got drenched when he was taking down part of the ceiling (which was somewhat hilarious); left the ceiling open until “further notice”.

In the mean time Henk had gone up and down the roof four times, having to twist his back very awkwardly getting from the water tank unto the roof..... This resulted in a very hurting back on Friday night and Saturday. (never realized what an acrobatic act one performs getting out of bed!)

Saturday morning we stopped at the Choates and had fun playing Settlers followed by a nice lunch.

Aaron Choate teaching Translation Principles

On Sunday we didn't want to miss going to church so we left at 9:10 for its 9:30 service. After one hour in the cramped pews, Henk had to leave because he was in too much pain. I took him home and returned later to pick up the couple we went with, from church.

Later in the afternoon other friends came and prayed with Henk.

Last night he slept very well, and this morning he felt a lot better.

Then as soon as we started walking up the steep hill towards the tool/supply workshop, we realized the difference between feeling and being well and knew that there was not a whole lot that would get done today.

We'll try again later in the morning: one hour of work and one hour of rest. In the meantime we enjoyed two Valentine muffins that Sarah Choate had made and delivered!

I find it difficult to observe this, but I must say, Henk's spirits have not been dampened one bit!

Henk and Patson trying to figure out 

a Chinese door handle/lock.