May 1 update

May 1, 2005
Dear family,
Hi. Just a short note this week. Most of us have been sick this week with a viral intestinal bug. Brandel was the worse with vomiting for 2 days and 3 nights. We worked to keep him hydrated and he is feeling much better. Bethany has not gotten sick, so I hope that she doesn't get sick now.
The clinic will be closed this week so that we can replace the wall in the medicine room. Clint is going to put most all of our regular workers on it so that it can be done quickly. The wall has to be replaced, plastered and shelves put back in before the Union group comes in 23 days. We are also trying to get the lab done and some painting done before they come also.
In the midst of all these last minute projects we have to add another big project, digging the well at the clinic deeper. We found it dry last time we went to pump water. It is only 24 feet deep. We dug our well at the house deeper from 24 ft to 32 ft in Feb. Now we are going to do the clinic also. And just to make sure we don't have any water trouble with 30 extra people, we are going to dig our well about 18" deeper so that we can add one more length of pump tubing.
So all of this will keep us very busy for the next few weeks. Our outhouse is almost done. It is just waiting for the top of the sides and the roof. The toilet seats are even installed! But Rilla and my vote is to wait to use it until there are walls. I was hoping that we were going to be able to rebuild the showers before they came but the outhouse was more urgent. It was going to be much worse for someone to fall into the 15 ft hole for the outhouse, than for the flimsy showers to fall someone. So the outhouses got the cement ear marked for showers. Oh well, the Lord will provide when the time is right. :
We sent all of you our proposed itinerary. Now you will have a better idea when we will be in your area. We are willing to do any presentations you can schedule for us. Please write to us if you want us to speak in your area or church. We are willing to speak on Sabbath morning but are also willing to do presentations in afternoons and evenings. Please contact your church or group and make tentative arrangements. You can then confirm with us via email. This trip home is as much a fund raising trip, as a visiting trip so please schedule as many presentations in your area as you think people will attend. The presentations can be 10-40 minutes long. We do not want to impose upon people or churches so if they are not interested, do not push. Thanks for your help.
Don't forget to check our web page. Evelyn has done a really good job on it. I can post items and letters directly from here in Nicaragua! hanleymissions.blogspot.com
It is only two months before we start home to see everyone. We (I) am getting excited!
Lots of love
Marilyn