Blessed Children

Pete C started this morning with his ‘thought for the day’ and focused on what Matthew’s gospel says about the poor: ‘‘Many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first’’ Matt 19:30. He related it to the street children and how humble they are, and the throughout the day we were reminded of how ‘first’ we are, in our lifestyles and daily routines compared to them. Today was the day we would do activities and teaching with the children in both street houses, and knew it would be a stretching, challenging and emotional day. 

Peter and Helen went to the clinic in the medical centre, where they were able to watch the delivery of a new born baby, after seeing twins which were born that morning, weighing in at a healthy three kilos each! The guys spent the day in the street house for boys, playing sport such as football and decorating their own t-shirts using paint, which were proudly worn by Pete and Dan over lunch. [When Pete started explaining what we were doing, we were met with quizzical faces. It transpired that they had never used paint and paintbrushes before as they hadn't gone to nursery - Matt]

Meanwhile Annette, Fiona, Melody and I spent the morning doing craft and music with the girls, who were overjoyed to have the guitar we were able to bring over, as it made a change from their previously battered, three stringed instrument. 

The girls street house is very blessed. The children spend the whole day remembering and thanking God for saving them and for giving them a hope for their lives. They rejoice in the most humble manor and we have heard that they have sessions where they prophesy! When the activities of music and craft had finished, the girls asked us if they could share their testimonies. A girl who I had been previously teaching guitar to and singing with only a few moments ago then told the most heart breaking story about her life before the safe house, including searching for charcoal from the age of four, to discovering she could make money by selling her body, in order to get money for the food she desperately needed. The testimony from the second girl was very different. She wasn’t comfortable sharing in front of the other girls, so we were taken to a quiet area where she couldn’t be heard by the other girls. She’d been sleeping in ditches and asking restaurants for leftovers, where they either gave them to her or severely beat her. She had been abused and molested too many times than she could think of. After all of this she explains her thankfulness to Jesus, for rescuing her out of that place and sending people who would find her and help her, and through Him provide for her. What was most shocking is that before hearing the stories, you couldn’t have known what they had gone through when watching their bright eyed, smiley faces when playing games; their stories broke our hearts completely. The girls are a real inspiration, they never gave up on God, even when they had absolutely nothing at all. 

It was because of hearing these stories that meant we were late for lunch, but that didn’t matter - it’s Africa timing! 

This afternoon we were given the opportunity to visit some of the houses of the parents of the street children. This usually consisted of something similar to a mud hut, with not enough room to support a family. A particular house of one of the girls had a mother who told us that she was too ashamed to go to church because she was conscious of the way she smelt as she couldn’t afford clean water or soap. Though these houses were at the lowest level of poverty, it was vital we remained positive to the parents so that they take back the child after a year at the safe house, as if they get the impression from others that their house is not sufficient, then they will not take them back, causing further problems. 

On another note, two new words have been formed due to our guide and friend, Bosco. “Boscoism” refers to the nature of Bosco himself and the tendency to tell convincing stories, particularly about seeing people eaten alive by giant crocodiles. The second is ‘Boscoed’ to be used in the phrase ‘You’ve been boscoed’ to be used when falling for one of these stories. After many stories, you can imagine our surprise when we found out Bosco did actually own a restaurant of his own on top of everything else he does, and he was right in saying we would be the first customers on the opening night. Bosco is a man of good humour and I can safely say that a good meal was enjoyed by everyone. We are now all resting and preparing for what tomorrow may bring.

(Sorry I went on a bit - pictures to follow)

Lorna