Friends, I'm afraid I've come down with a bug and only had the strength to pick a few photos and write some captions... I really need to hit the sack now. I'll write up my own account of our day's activities and memories when we return, but to give you your Afghan fix for the day I'm supplying you with an update written by another team member, Jeff Courtney. Thanks for your prayers and we hope to be home with you all soon! --Bob
Planting More Than Trees
by Jeff Courtney
Just after breakfast this morning, 50 of the 100 evergreen trees that we had purchased yesterday were loaded into the pickup truck and our team headed out once again for Barek Aub, this time for a highly anticipated day of tree planting and interaction with the people of the community. By the time we arrived, several holes had already been started and our guys joined in with shovels and picks, and began unloading the first of the trees to be planted at the recently completed clinic. We were soon joined by three of the village elders and several staff members.
Almost immediately, we were swarmed by 50-60 children from the community who couldn't wait to greet our team, renew acquaintances, and make new friends. Once the trees were in the ground at the clinic, we moved on to the school and planted several more. The kids were eager to follow along and were even more excited to take us all by the hand and give us a tour of their school.
Prominently displayed above the school entrance was a giant collage of the smiling young faces from the village taken by previous Flatirons team members.
The last batch of trees was taken to the new playground, just finished within the last couple months. We managed to get the last 25 or so trees planted despite our frequent breaks to play with the kids, who were more interested in showing off their new playground equipment and having us join in the fun.
What a great day. A common feeling among several of our team members who had been to Barek Aub on previous trips, was how much not only the village infrastructure has progressed, but how welcoming and relaxed the community has become with their extended Flatirons family. We are no longer considered just visitors here, we truly are family.
Our team rounded out the day with a visit to Rauf’s Rug Shop on Chicken Street where we spent a couple hours picking out traditional Afghan rugs to purchase and to marvel at our Afghan host's unmatched – and highly entertaining – negotiating prowess. Then it was on to a marvelous dinner at the well-known Intercontinental Hotel.
Once again, our team thanks each of you for your continued prayers and support!
Jeff C.
Bob, Khushal, Hajjii Rafiq, Robb, and a number of others diggin’ holes and plantin’ trees.
Patty teaching a couple friends “cat’s cradle” with some yarn she had brought along.
Karen with a couple of her new friends. I remember Bashir (the boy) from working
on the construction of the school two years ago. He worked with us hauling bricks
all week in hopes his school would open a few days earlier.
(There's something not right with that boy. )
I have a sneaking suspicion that Katie’s team duffel bag is going to weigh
about 75 pounds going back even though she’ll swear it’s “empty.”
I rarely include two photos of an individual team member (unless it’s me ),
but I couldn’t resist including these two shots I got of Josh and his new friend Shakad.
The top photo was taken within moments of our arrival… the bottom one a few minutes
before our departure 3 hours later. Those two were inseparable the entire time we were there.
(Note to self: Check Josh's team duffel bag prior to departure, too.)
