Copy of Email by Carole Kay  (August trip 2010 )

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Hi David,

We all had a great time. we were all made very welcome by all the staff and especially the children. Karen did an excellent job looking after all of us,making sure we were all happy. She is an exceptional young woman and an asset to the Bethany Team.  I don't know how she managed to live there for 12 months, it takes alot of guts and character to be away from home and friends for such a long time.
Sue and I enjoyed the sanctuary of our own room gave the teenagers time out from us.  I think we all found we had had enough of potatoes and rice by the end of the trip, found the water fine which is what I was worried about before.  All the children were very well behaved and are a credit to everyone involved in their care. It just made me realise what an enormous undertaking and life long commitment Bethany is for all those who rely on the Home.  Karen took us to visit the orphanage north of Bethany what a complete contrast to Bethany we all left rather subdued and made us realise what a fantastic place Bethany is.
Sophie and Emily taught Standard 2 and 3 some boys a bit of a handful but they did a great job considering their age, you could hear the children singing at the tops of their voices from the classroom. One day they even dressed as Pirates.
Hannah and I taught Standard 6 there are some clever boys in that group. They all took part in the lessons and especially enjoyed their own design and art work on t-shirts. Standard 1 in the afternoon enjoyed craft sessions but it was not unusual for 1 or 2 of them to fall asleep when reading to them. I think the were tired rather than it being me!
One Saturday the girls made biscuits and the cheer was so loud it nearly raised the roof. Even the staff waited their turn for biscuits, it just makes you realise how we take things for granted
Saw some spectacular night skies and sunsets down by the Lake.
Journey there and back straight forward no hitches.  The holiday lived up to our expectations and more, I think we were pretty well prepared before we went and not disappointed.
I will not bore you any more , it could be worse holiday photos all 800 of them!!
We are doing a presentation at our church this Sunday
See you

Carole