These pictures are especially for our grandsons, whom we miss very much.  We thought they would like to see how little boys and big boys work and play in Congo.  These two little boys are scraping up sand off the road, with flattened 2 liter plastic bottles.There is a sack in the right upper corner they are putting it into. 

They are standing in the cement gutter - this gutter is not as deep as many - but if your car goes into it, you are still stuck!
We aren't sure if people get paid for removing sand from the streets, but many paved streets are almost completely covered with sand.  There is sand EVERYWHERE here - because we are by the sea....

Here are two boys playing by our house.  They have a toy car they have built of empty cans, sticks and tape.  They are very proud of this and they should be!  These toys are very common and get very creative.  Often children sort through piles of garbage to find cans to use.

Here's a close up view.

This young boy on the right has a heavy load - I am not sure of what is in the sack.  Public school is out now.  There is a break from the latter part of June until October.  Many private schools are still in session.  The first part of July is also when exams are held for those trying to pass the High School exam, which is called a Baccalaureate degree.  Most youth do not pass this exam until they are at least 20 years old. Many youth attend trade oriented schools, such as for electrician or car repair skills.
The young man on the left has lovely plants for sale!

We will be celebrating the 4th of July with all the elders tomorrow, Monday the 9th, on Preparation Day.  We are going out of town to have a picnic.
However, some of the elders invited us to have hamburgers with them on the evening of July 4th, and one of them made a flag decoration for the table.  Then, when I took the picture, Elder HeMan and his companion, Elder ArmyGuy showed up.  We thought the TP and empty water bottle left on the dining table added some realistic ambiance for a missionary apartment!