I started the day in Standard 8 because their teacher was coming in late. I did spelling with them, and facilitated a Sparkle spelling game with their words. I switched to Standard 7 and did the same thing. I moved from Standard 8 to 7 because the two teachers teach two subjects each, and then switch to the other standard to teach those same two subjects again. I also organized their cabinet (one for each class), which was a hot mess.
After lunch, the teacher came back, so I was able to go help paint the playground Bill built. It got paint all over me, and that was rotten because the paint was iron oxide (not safe, and difficult to get off). But, I had fun doing it!
After painting, I went to Kindergarten and did my paper bag kite project with the kids. They loved it! I had so much fun watching them run and fly the kites behind them. It's very cool to bring this project from my preschool class in America to kids here in Africa.
After dinner, despite feeling so tired and drained, I went to devos with the team. It was fun to dance with the kids to worship music. I absolutely loved singing "It Is Well" with these kids. I had one hand in the air in worship, while my other hand was being held by one child, while yet another leaned into me. Such a precious time of worship.
After worship, as Jessi started to give her testimony, I saw Faith (with the broken hand) holding Jacklyn (little 1 year old baby). She was fussing, so I motioned to Faith, asking if I could take her. She nodded 'yes', so I took Jacklyn and sat down. She started to fuss again, so I stood up and rocked her. She put her head against my chest, rubbing her sleepy eyes. She kept lifting her head, so I walked into the darkness, out of the light. As I stood, rocking this baby from side to side, I looked up into the African night sky. I was amazed at what I saw. Though cloud-covered, it was beautiful. I felt privileged to be standing there with this now sleeping child in my arms. It was a beautiful moment as I listened to her breathing. I loved getting to carry her back to her house momma's bed in the little room they share.
And I loved praying for her as I walked. I also loved saying 'goodnight' to the boys.
I learned today that the boys are not circumcised until 8th grade. Outside of Each One Feed One, it is a terrible ceremony, performed in front of many people. There is singing and strange things that happen, and it often happens while they are on breaks from school. Each One Feed One sends the boys to a clinic to have it done in private, and then they stay there for two weeks to recover.
I was thinking today about FGM (female genital mutilation). For the girls, it happens on breaks from school. Heads are shaved and they're forced to work in the fields. I can't imagine what it is like for them to endure this....It breaks my heart to know that they are enduring it.
No comments:
Post a Comment