I Haven't Had Okra Since Kentucky and Picking Them from the Crescent Hill Bushes with Sue. Last Night We Grilled Them

Dave is two for two, and last night we had Max and Mateo (workers from the summer programs) over for a Cajun shrimp dinner with okra. Abu took care of the rice. We grilled the okra and served it as a side dish, and Mateo (raised well by his parents) brought an apple pie. We had it with vanilla bean ice cream. Another gourmet dinner that I only had to partly take part in preparing. I actually am afforded time to get work done on the front porch after we work all day (the emails alone take hours).

And just like that is is another Friday....week 4 of summer programs with only one week left. It's been nice to see the kids gelling with one another (like they always do after a few days) and to see the lightbulbs flashing off as they feel more accomplished with their written work...the sense of pride makes every second of the work worth it. 

Will and I high-fived today simply because we know if we didn't host Ubuntu Academy, 32 students would not be given a language boost and sense of confidence for the next school year. Many of them just arrived and have only been in English as a Second Language for a year: Haitians, Dominicans, Brazilians, Bangledeshians, Mexicans, and Guatemalans. The populations have shifted from primarily African-born youth to more S. American.

In our 11th year, too, it's hard not to reflect on all the work that has gone into building the program, knowing it is vision and perseverance that pulls it off.

I know I will be ready for bed tonight. I will need a mindless evening (maybe Big Brother marathon to catch up....or Abu's Family Feud escapades). 

Ah, Friday. How thankful to God we be that you are here. We love what we do but we are exhausted.