Hi All, many thanks for the messages they are great to receive.

The last two days have been tough because the temperature has reached 38 degrees and probably more plus the humidity is 90 +. To compound this the electricity has been off all of both days so we haven't been able to use fans. Even the locals have been suffering and finding work difficult to do. We had an amazing electric storm last night but no rain, this evening looks the same but hopefully rain will come and ease things a bit.

Today I have visited a local house with Dani the daughter is unwell but there are other family problems too. When we arrived the house looked reasonable but once we got closer the poverty was revealed. Gran came to talk to us, toothless, a mass of skin and bone with a shaven head. The little girl was lying about putting a bandage against many parts of her body to show that all those parts hurt. It transpired that when Mum came back at 10pm last night after selling boiled nuts, Dad, who had left the family followed her homeand the preceded to beat her, the smashed up the moto and finally stealing the bit of money she had made. Consequently they are all frightened and moneyless. We were abele to offer rice for the coming months and to pay for Mum to tell the Village Elder everything in the hope that he can sort things. They have been told to bring the little girl to Grace House tomorrow if she is no better and someone will take her to the hospital. The whole time we were there Gran chewed bettel nut which turns her mouth all red and rots the teeth too, it is a form of narcotic. Very kindly as we were leaving she gave us a bag of boiled nuts. The family did have water pump, but no filter and last month Grace House put in a toilet for them. After seeing and hearing it brings everything back into perspective. Hopefully the children will soon be able to have free dinners.

The other major job at GH today was sterilising the containers of mushroom spores before they could be put in the Mushroom House. Two cylinders were used and a fire built under each. Hopefully in a month's time mushrooms will be ready.

Whilst walking back we saw Kumli, a 10yr old girl I taught last year doing the washing under the pump, fortunately she still comes to GH in the afternoon but not to state school.

Gemma and I walked a little way at lunch time and I was surprised to see three more mushroom set-ups, but worryingly children were stuffing the bags and manning the steamers which means they will not be going to any school. The mushroom growing is the result of an agricultural NGO visiting recently giving training and some basic equipment,

Yesterday, Maly, the junior office girl (she was educated at GH and has pretty good English - reading, writing and speaking) was telling me about her family. Her mother stays at home because she is too old to work. When asked how old I was told 52 years!

I am helping after school with the one of the three adult classes and on Mon evening I was amused that the piece for the book we were covering was all a 'Honeymoon in Venice' both are completely out of their comprehension, experience etc! Tonight's was no better, but I can usually give a good crack at explaining.

There is an amazing electric storm flashing away now, but I haven't heard any thunder yet and I don't think there is any sign of rain either. The level of the river has gone down about one metre since I arrived.

Bike riding great, but certainly hairier than 9 months ago I am pleased I brought the helmet. I certainly won't be encouraging Geoff and Mati to ride if they come, but I think Jen and Ric will enjoy the experience.

Time to close down now before the electric goes, or lightening strike happens.

Take care, love to all, J x

PS Remind your pet dogs how lucky they are