The rainy season has set upon eastern Africa, and with it brings mud- lots and lots of mud. I found a pair of rubber shoes in the market and they are surely put to good use. The floor in my room is constantly dirty, but somehow I don’t care. My children are covered in dirt up to their knees, but I don’t mind. They are beautiful as ever. The more I get to know them, the more impressive they become. They have risen above the challenges that have been presented. This one boy, Musa, is especially impressive. He is twelve, but is mature far beyond his years. He helps in the daily running of things in the children’s home, and makes sure the other children comply. He is so willing to help and so eager to learn. He is surely going to become somebody and I am so proud of him.
The past few weeks we have had a team here with us. One weekend we went into the market so they could do some shopping. I was so ecstatic when I was able to do the translating for them. I was able to get what they wanted and bargain as well- all in Swahili.
Last week my good friend Perepetua went back to her home. I wasn’t expecting it when she told me the news. She sat me down to say she was leaving the next day. She has been my best friend, Swahili teacher and she has taught me about the African lifestyle. In the afternoons we would sit together under a tree and eat sugarcane and just talk or cut sukuma and wash rice for the next meal. I miss her so much, but her leaving has taught me a lot. I am reminded that my time with people is short, that it is so important to make the most of the relationships I have here. I don’t regret a single afternoon sitting with her or a single morning when I would go to her room and eat chai and porridge together. I am thankful for every memory I have with her. I challenge you to think on that this week. Don’t let life get so busy that you forget to cherish those around you. Today make time for friends and family. Relish each moment you have to just be together.
Today I made it a point to spend some time with each of the children here, and let me tell you, those moments are so fulfilling. You can’t imagine how excited they are to be loved. When I tell them my favorite things about them, they just light up! I love being their best friend, I love calling them to life and encouraging them. Today our youngest girl Dau fell asleep on my lap. Dau knows how to love and how to trust. I want to be just like her in that aspect. When she loves you, you know it. It’s in the way she smiles and talks and runs up to you. Sometimes I think we are so afraid to show the people we love, that we do love them, or we are so afraid to put our trust in people. I want to be like Dau, to lean on others. I think sometimes we become too independent and rely on ourselves far too much. But we are a team…pamoja.
Today as you go about your daily schedule…think of us out here in the bush. Send up a prayer for us and for our beautiful children. And today tell somehow how you truly feel about them…how much you care for them. And for once, let’s trust someone else and most of all…love. Love God and love others with all your heart.
