Pictures, pictures, and MORE pictures!

We had a fun day of work yesterday. Our host family works on a farm owned by their church to raise money for the orphanage their church runs. We decided when we came that we would like to spend a day on the farm working and seeing all that they do. When we arrived, it was neat to see how much they have been able to accomplish in only five years since starting the farm. The day began with our picking apples from the orchard to sell at the local market. Dave and I thought it was really neat that these small trees had so many apples on them. After picking the apples, we then picked all the rotten ones off the ground to feed the pigs. They have about 50 LARGE pigs with about 4 of them with piglets (they were the cute ones!). After working in the orchard in the morning, Dave worked hard moving hay bales and bags of wheat while Galya (our translator) and I washed large jars for canning. We also got to walk through their veggie patch and eat some fresh strawberries and tomatoes (I had never eaten a tomato like an apple before! Yummy!). It was a hard day of work, but was very rewarding to see the sacrifice our family here makes to support the church's orphanage. As a result of selling the apples and 3 pigs yesterday, they were able to raise over $2000. Plus they had free labor--us! We just found out that they had more piglets today! Thirteen from one momma--whoa! Anyway, we have attached some pictures from yesterday's adventure on the farm. Enjoy! Dave and Candace

Dave and me in the orchard.

Our facilitator Galya showing some of the apples we picked.

Our host mom Luda in front of her tree. The orchard is her baby.

Our host dad Valeri piling hay.

One bunch of piglets and their mom.