Video of DJ and Brilliant at World Cup Game

DJ & Brilliant-World Cup Game

Have you ever had the privilege of giving someone a gift that would be a dream come true for that person?
Yesterday we had the great privilege of gifting DJ and Brilliant with World Cup tickets to the South Africa vrs France game. I wish you could have heard them when they found out they were going to the game. Their excitement was overwhelming!

We gave these guys tickets to the game as a thank you for working so diligently at Restoring Hope Village. These boys have proven themselves over the past couple of months. They work hard each and everyday. They don't make a lot working for us so we try to help them in other ways. We also know that the boys (as so many others in this country) would never be able to afford to go to such a historic event taking place in their country.




Brian and I had such an enjoyable day yesterday with DJ and Brilliant. The drive to the game (minus the stress of road construction), watching them hold their tickets, walking to the stadium, watching them make their own video of their day was just a hoot.


While they watched the game we hung out at no other than McDonald's. Yup that's right, McD's is also here. Lindie was also with us and she was a real trooper all day. Liam stayed back home with Nanna and Pops. We weren't the only ones watching the game here. A few local police stopped to watch, the parking lot security guards who were suppose to be outside made their way inside and there were other customers. While watching the game at McDonalds there were a few times we wished we had ear plugs to wear. When South Africa scored the employees and guests would erupt into cheers and blowing vuvuzela's (yes inside the restaurant-it was super loud). It is too bad South Africa isn't advancing to the second round, but at least they played a good game and won against France.


I put together a little video of the guys going to the game, the fans, the noise, the city and their remarks after the game but I am having a difficult time uploading it. I will have to try again tomorrow. Until then, Good Night.

The question of the day. Are we working?

Winter has come full force in South Africa. Ok, it isn't as cold and bad as mid-west Iowa winter but its still cold, in a different way. The evenings do get rather chilly, especially because there isn't central heating. We do have a portable gas heater that we use when needed, like tonight:) During the winter months June, July and August it is typically very dry. Rain is not expected, especially after such a rainy summer.

Last night Ben (Louie's cousin who is staying with them for 2 1/2 months) told them he was hoping for rain so they wouldn't have to work tomorrow. Ben knew that tomorrow (Thursday) was going to be a long hard day of work-setting 49 fence posts. Amber's response to Ben's wish was "you don't know Brian do you". Lo and behold it did rain last night and it continued into today. And guess what? The guys worked. Ben made the wrong wish...oops

This morning, DJ and Brilliant phoned Brian asking, hoping, assuming they wouldn't be working today because it was cold and rainy. The temperature was about 45 degrees F. Of course Brian's response was "Uhh, yes we are working". The boys made it to work on time but barely. They were really wanting a rain day.

Despite the cold and rain they did get all 49 post set. They still have a bit of cement work to do tomorrow but all in all it was a decent day at work.

Building the Fence

Well the saga of building the perimeter fence continues. There is a lot of fencing to erect, so you will be hearing a lot about it. Brian picks DJ and Brilliant up in town every morning and then they come back to our house to load up the necessary equipment for the day.



Liam often goes with daddy for this morning run--and often in his pjs. Ya gotta love this outfit.












Today the guys dug another 35 holes for the fence posts and tomorrow they will set 35 post. According to Brilliant, setting the post is the hardest part of the job, he doesn't mind digging the holes too much.





DJ says the hardest part of the job is mixing the cement with Uncle Brian and pushing it across the property to the fence posts.



















DJ also says that lunch is his favorite part of the day:)




















The other day Louie asked Brian a question about the layout of the property. Brian said "haven't you seen the new layout?" Louie says "No" Brian says "here, let me show you". So what does Brian do, he draws the property layout on top of our car in the dust and then he asks Louie "do you have any questions?"




To see more pictures and video clips of the construction visit RHI's facebook page. Well it is time for bed. Talk to you all tomorrow! Cheers