Ella - also called "Ella Gap" - Mindy was coming back from Ampara, Chris was going to Ampara; so Tucker and Adam drove with Chris, and we all met halfway. "Halfway" between Ampara (our east coast office) and Hikkaduwa (southwest coast office), there's this tiny mountain village, Ella. We stayed the weekend at a quaint guest house that's cheap and quiet (untapped by tourists) and offers spectacular views and hiking. Here's the view from the porch: The way transportation panned out, Mindy got there early on Friday (bummer) and spent the day typing quarterly reports and enjoying the view on the porch.
(Above) the view to the right of the guest house.
(Above) The afternoon stormclouds rolled in.


The afternoon stoms roll out... and sunset.



Below, we got up for the sunrise (we also went back to bed after watching the sunrise). We didn't want to miss it -- so... we were a little early.
sunrise 1 "Who told us to get up this early?"
sunrise 2

sunrise 3
sunrise 4
sunrise 5

sunrise 6
sunrise 7, last pic. we refer to this as a "strong pre-game."
The pre-game was GREAT; the actual 'game' - not as spectacular. And no post-game action.

We also hiked... but Tucker has the pictures from those adventures, so we'll have to get them and share that later.

Another week in Ampara. The CCD Officer on the east coast was recruited by the UN (grrrr!), so Mindy spent the week in Ampara interviewing replacement possibilities and visiting the vocational and educational trainings that our CCD team has started there. Adam held down the fort on the southwest coast... was sick (boo.)... and conducted orientation for his new Engineer (yay!)

Mr. & Mrs. Ariyapala (one of our favorite people in this world and his equally precious wife)
English class for kids (in a Muslim community)

English class again (and Mindy)

unloading sports equipment for an English class... (What? It's hard to understand why an English class needs sports equipment?) We believe bribery is an effective tool for motivating strong study habits. Plus, kids gotta PLAY, too!

Captain Sam (middle) with the teacher that helped form the class and organize all the details (left) and the English teacher (right).
Captain Sam (and the leaves used for a weaving vocational class)
weaving class; they were giggling about having their picture taken...
the weaving class... They all introduced themselves and told about their families (family details are so integral to personal identity). It was interesting to hear them say how they have 4 brothers and 3 sisters or 5 children, etc. One lady shared about having one daughter - who was only 1 year old when she was killed in the tsunami. She didn't mention her husband or having other kids, so I asked someone later, and was told that her husband left her after their daughter died and married another woman (Muslim men can marry up to 5 women, so this is pretty common). Just when I feel like I'm familiar with the culture, or when I think the tsunami and its devastation are a thing of the past, I get "checked".
sewing class
the cutest kid of the week...

... and his friends.

What's not to love about "celebrating children"?!

In celebration of World Children's Day (Oct. 1), we had a children's talent show on Sunday afternoon. Here are a few video clips...

OK, I'm such a huge fan of surprises, but I often get so excited about what's to come, I just can't hold out until the right time (True, it's a real dilemma!). Thus, I'm showing our favorite FIRST instead of last. If you come for a visit, we can probably negotiate a one hour dance lesson for you. (I know some people who know some people.) He's 10, and I seriously have no idea where he gets it...

Then there's the little NON-dancer. Find the kid who does not move a muscle (it's not hard).

I know... Bless his heart!

Watch out for the little girl in the hat -- and the little Muslim boy in white -- they will rob you blind and you will not even know your heart is missing!

The teenage girls... right on the money, and then their music stopped... uh, oops. (giggle, giggle.)

Take 2: Ope, and... we're back on track.

Some days, it's probably really not fair to call what we do here "work."