Francis came back to work this afternoon.  He's been off for four days.  Malaria.  He was hit hard.  This business of being his own night guard and then working for us days has really gotten him down.  He's lost a lot of weight, and now he's practically skeletal.  His face is gaunt and if it weren't for a belt, his slacks would be falling off.

Today we took Francis to the neighbors to introduce him to his new dog.  They are giving him one of theirs.  They have three dogs.  The dog is named Peace.  She's German Shepherd.  Very gentle and loving.  At a year and a half she is still playful and young.  She loves to lick and to be petted, especially belly rubs.  But Francis is scared to death of dogs.  So is his wife.  Neither of them grew up around dogs.  Nobody in either of their families have dogs.  They are typical Cameroonians.  But they know they need one for a guard dog as their new house has had three break-in attempts since they moved in last month.  And that's why Francis is up all night guarding the place.  He's going to visit Peace each afternoon and gradually get to know her.  And one of these days he is bringing his wife and kids over for about an hour of get acquainted time.  He's a little less afraid than before.  He knows he has to love Peace and she will be a great blessing for his whole family.  But it's an act of the will.