And... We're off!

These are my neighbors. They're awesome and super friendly. We say hi everyday, but I still need to learn their names.

And just like that, it looks like a construction site. We started to mobilize at the beginning of last week and by yesterday, the major site work was complete and the majority of the building was laid out.

I'll let the pictures do most of the talking this week. I've been told my ramblings help from time to time, but I might lose some of you with technical jargon since most of this post centers on the construction project.

Marco and I spent every other day on site with Victor, our contractor. Tuesday we did the general layout in order to give the excavator reference points on where to clear the land, what needed to be cut, and where fill material was needed.

When we returned on Thursday there was a relatively level piece of dirt, ready to be built upon. We marked the corners of the building, which would allow the assistant foreman, Jeffery, to do the full layout the next day. We also marked where outbuildings would be located and wholes needed to be dug.

We returned yesterday to find the main structure laid out and while we were there they started to with the waiting area and entry.

It is pretty exciting to see progress being made. This week, masonry blocks will be formed and then it should be full speed ahead!

Whenever we are on site, and especially with the excavator there, a crowd gathers to see what's going on.

Being able to get to site multiple days this week, helped move things along and limited my down time. I played football 3 evenings and have been trying to stay as active as possible to counteract the increased number of carbs that have worked into my diet. Last night we had a braai (barbecue) with goat, chicken, and roasted veggies. We ate as it came off the grill, which meant I ate way too much. It was similar to fondue. You eat so little at a time, that you feel like you can just keep eating. And at the end you try not to think about how much food was actually consumed. It also didn't help that Margot and Jessica brought over homemade brownies and cookies. Hard to complain about having a sweet treat, or two, or five, though.

And what's a Malawi post without a couple of good sunsets.

Oh, and the bugs have started to show up...