October08

October is a month of decreasing light in Afghanistan, just as in the USA. Summer is undeniably over and there are hints of an approaching winter. Hints like electrical power available only for a few hours at a time (spoiling food, because the window sills aren't yet cold enough to refrigerate). Hints like the rats moving in off the coldening streets (we put traps out and have been catching two or three per day in our kitchen).

There was a 10 day fall break in courses (corresponding to the end of Ramadan). In spite of the heavy (and impolite) guard, we have been blessed with many guests. Local government officials crashed our gate on a particularly busy day, thinking that we were running an undercover guest house (and intending to charge us extra taxes). We invited them in for tea, but they declined - seeing the group of children playing with our new dog (Puppy Jaan) in the garden, and a small family reunion going on in our pia khana (side houses that we now sub lease to a dear single lady friend - the lawyer we mentioned).

The Taliban surround the city, but life goes on within. Please pray for us.