Fort

noun \ˈfȯrt\

: a strong building or group of buildings where soldiers live

Our children (like most children) have this thing with forts. Wherever we go, they have to establish some sort of permanent dwelling. It is a long involved process. Just selecting the site involves many hours of discussion and debate. Once a place is finally chosen, trying to decide on what materials to construct the fort consume more hours. The actual construction will last for days. And things are never quite complete. Adjustments are made each time the play house is used. New seating arrangements, new shelving units for all the treasures they discover, newly devised ideas to utilize the fort to its fullest potential.

As the kids have gotten older, their fort making has evolved to greater heights of construction achievment. Here’s a brief fort flashback.

When we arrived in Zambia, the kids started scouting out the possibilities. They decided they wanted to construct something close to where our new house will be on the farm. This is their biggest and best fort yet. It’s also being built in front of a way larger audience than they’ve ever had before. They ended up recruiting quite a few people to help them out. Erik got roped in to thatching the roof. He in turn, had to ask a Zambian worker the best way to go about doing it. Today, they enlisted the help of the teenage boys living close by to help with the thatching. Claire said they will try to pool the few kwacha they have to pay the boys for their labors. :)

 

window complete with screen

As for myself, I find my mind fixed on the following verses as the kids focus on constructing their new fort.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”  Psalm 91:1-2

Blessings to you and yours.