The Sozo/Flatirons Construction Trip - Day 5

If you received my daily email updates you've seen most of it, but not all. Since my return I've added a few notes and comments which I've put in blue italic type so those of you who don't want to read it all again can pick out the "new stuff." <g> I've also added a couple photos from each day of the trip, which weren't always in the daily updates.

If you'd like to see more photos from the trip, follow the link to the left.  I took many of them, but the rest were taken by other team members Levi Dockendorf, Jeff English, Dave Harrison, Jordan Kejr, Micah Kirkwood, Michal Kmita, and David Pesek. Ron Barnes was there, too, but usually too busy keeping track of the rest of us to take photos. <g> If you'd like hi-rez copies of any of them just let me know.

Friday, June 27

Friday is the Muslim holy day so out of respect we did not go to work at Barek Aub today. Instead we chose to spend most of the day resting, digesting the remarkable experiences at the camp, and being "tourists" for a couple hours by going to a popular local shopping district not far from the guest house called "Chicken Street."

One of the highlights for aid workers and other visitors to Afghanistan is a trip to an authentic Afghan rug shop and Wakil and Walid took us to one of the finest shops of its kind - Rauf Carpets. Hamed Rauf is one of the top rug sellers in all of Afghanistan and he was at his shop to meet with us personally. Hamed and his staff laid out hundreds of rugs (only a fraction of his incredible inventory) while being the consummate host treating us to raisins, nuts, and tea. Wakil does most of the negotiating on final price, but some of the guys (Levi and Michal in particular) got into the action and struck some pretty good deals.

After the tab was settled we headed across the street to Ahmad Shakib's jewelry store where many of the guys picked up a Pakol or keffiyea (traditional Afghan hat and scarf). Ahmad is a 13-year old Donald Trump witih good hair -- the consumate salesman and expert negotiator. Ahmad is the oldest of five orphan brothers who are now running the family jewelry store by themselves. And the store is in very capable hands, I might add.

While walking through Chicken Street we also met Amir Kahn and Fawad, two young boys who sell maps and books to raise money for their families. Extremely well mannered and speaking very good English, Amir Kahn and Fawad walked with us throughout Chicken Street answering questions and actiing as our personal guides and "body guards." Amir Kahn actually remembered me from our April tip and even asked about Patty... by name! Not that Patty isn't memorable, but that's amazing!

After the tour of Chicken Street we headed back to the guest house. Since Naieme had the evening off, Wakil and Walid treated us to an incredible Lebanese dinner in the beautiful outdoor courtyard at The Grill.

So that's it for today, but we are eager to return to Barek Aub tomorrow morning to get back to work.

Our prayer request for Saturday is for safety in our travel and an opportunity to serve in whatever capacity the elders of Barek Aub choose.

Many of us have received word from friends and loved ones around the country that we have prayer warriors covering us 'round the clock. That is a GREAT comfort to us all and we can't thank you enough for your continued support.

--Bob Tunnell

The team inside Rauf's rug shop
photo by Jordan Kejr

Ahmad Shakib with his 11-year old brother and business partner in their jewelry store.
photo by Micah Kirkwood

Fawad and Amir Kahn... two young boys who are also helping to support their families in Kabul.
photo by Jordan Kejr

"We're here to help you. Honest."
Left to right... Jeff, Jordan, Dave P., Levi, Bob, Michal, Micah, Dave H., and in front (cleverly disguised as an American aid worker) our fearless leader and cat wrangler supreme, Ron.