This morning started out as a whirlwind of motion and work. The younger kids have Saturday off from school, which meant cleaning day. Everywhere you looked there was a child sweeping, moping, picking up and staying busy with doing their chores here at Canaan center. I gasped in horror when I saw my little 7-8 year old boys up on one of the high water tanks. Their task apparently was to clean the inside of the tank. They worked diligently and thoroughly and by the grace of God did not fall and get hurt. They laughed at my worry and showed off by climbing metal poles to a tank that was two stories off the ground, and then commenced on cleaning that tank. After I got filthy helping with the chores I decided to do my laundry outside. This drew a gaggle of children, laughing as they stared in amazement at the m’zungo doing her wash by hand. Enoch, age 8, couldn’t handle my lack of skills for too long. He wound up nudging me aside and taking over, it was incredible how fast he washed and how clean my clothing came out. I was transfixed trying to learn from this little boy.
My next moment of awe for the day was watching Anna’s intoxicating joy as she danced around in the new sun hat I gave her. Anna is the woman who is teaching us to cook and makes sure we are fed. She is the auntie who stays in the oldest girls dorm, ages 12-14. She also works tirelessly at the farm, harvesting and planting crops. Since she spends so much time under the hot African sun on the farm I decided she needed a sun hat. She put it on and danced and sang like I had just given her some kind of crazy expensive, gorgeous article of clothing. I wondered when was the last time someone took care of her for a change or gave her a gift. I was humbled by her joy at receiving such a simple present.
In the late afternoon, Morgan and I took a walk around our village. We discussed ideas for how best to reach out to those who are desperate in this village and wondered about what approach would be the best. We kept passing people on the way that were carrying green plastic shopping bags. I had no idea where they were coming from, since they were not near any of the shops; nor why so many were carrying this green plastic bag I hadn’t seen in the town shops before. Before long we discovered the answer… Katie. There were hundreds of people inside Katie’s establishment all carrying that green bag and hundreds more walking away headed back home. We stopped and asked what was going on and were informed that this was food distribution day to all the families Katie’s NGO cares for. It was absolutely incredible! How does such a young woman have the ability to reach and help so many! Morgan and I became determined to meet her so that we could help spread her reach further. At our meeting with Pastor Isaac we brainstormed on what approach to take. He wants us to educate people on how to create incomes, which I believe is needed but not the most important. I want to go into the village to people who are too sick to leave home and provide them with food and medical care they desperately need. Hopefully tomorrow he will have a list prepared for us so that we can buy provisions and start our outreach to the village.
For tonight my influence is only at the Canaan center and our children. I sat with one little girl tonight and tried to comfort her as she cried. She would not tell me what was hurting her heart, all she wanted was to hold my hand a to be held. She is a 13 year old here who is THE hardest worker. She is always joyful and laughing, she is shy and mumbles her words. She is taller than all the boys and about a head taller than me. She has been at Canaan since she was 2 years old… she has never known a mother’s love. I sat with her in silence, with my arm around her back and my other hand holding hers. I ached to hear what was troubling her. That was not to be, Mary wanted the comfort of a mother but was too afraid to let down her guard and trust me with her tender heart. I was at a loss for how to provide comfort for this girl who always seems so tough and happy but who has never been given the chance of the happy, stable childhood filled with a supportive family. I hope that in the little time I have left I can help her trust a little more. I am in awe of how happy she is through all her hurt. Every child here amazes me with their ability to find joy and laughter.
Always keep your sense of wonder!
Gypsy RN
