We learned that there were babies in the orphanage as well. As we walked down the long corridor to their room, I was feeling so blessed to be in that place. I held Steven tightly in my arms and as we entered the room, Tyler and I were overwhelmed (in a very good way) by all of the adorable babies! These were children who had been abandoned at local hospitals - some were taking naps - some were standing up in their cribs - while still others circled around our knees wanting to be held.
We spent the next hour visiting each child, holding those who wanted to be held and praying over as many as possible. I sometimes forget how blessed I am to have not only parents who prayed over me as a young child, but friends of my parents, members of our church, and others who lifted me up to the Lord. My heart broke thinking of the slim chances these beautiful creations had of being adopted. We hope to visit again and love on the children whenever possible.
Sunday gave me the chance to spend time with another group who feels abandoned. I went with three girlfriends to a Refugee Women's Support Group in an impoverished area near our home. We entered the small home which was crammed wall to wall with women from all over East Africa. The women came from Burundi, Uganda, and Rwanda. Some had the courage to share their stories, while others only cried at the mere thought of sharing what they had been through. We prayed for them and tried to encourage these war-torn, disheartened, single mothers. They were able to laugh at our limited Kiswahili and pray for us even in their somewhat broken emotional state. What an encouragement to spend time with women, who despite their difficult circumstances, blessed us and spurred us on in our faith.
After our time with the group of women, we stopped over at a friend's soccer game. After the game, I noticed there were kids flipping around and doing handstands on the far end of the field. Of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to "play" :). I ran over and began spotting them on their handstands. After awhile we were all "flipping" together and running across the field into our cartwheels. When we were completely out of breath, I started to stretch with the kids. Tyler took some video:
Today, the teacher's were on strike at Raila Educational Center (the school where we at First Love work). This gave us the chance to work with the students more than usual as they were only reviewing material on their own in the classroom. I interviewed one family and three students, had two business meetings, discussed post-graduate opportunities with a recent graduate, went on a home visit, attended to a bloody nose incident, and trained with three of our boys who are going to enter the cross country district championships in three weeks. Somehow Tyler and I both arrived home from work at 7:00 pm and collapsed (he had been to timbuktu and back visiting several businesses). I think I was spoiled in D.C., never really staying late at work :) Although most days exhaust me to no end here, I feel like there is always more I could do and should do, given the extreme privilege I have living here for this year. I thank God for such an important, yet simple task, to love those He places in my path.
I want to wrap up with a quote we were just sent in the mail:
"More and more the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps... and be known as someone who wants to live with them... I wonder if the first things shouldn't be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them... The greatest news of all is that God is with His people, that He is truly present. What greater ministry can be practiced than a ministry that reflects this divine presence?" ~ Henri Nouwen, Gracias: A Latin American Journal
What an incredible example Jesus Christ set for us by displaying this type of ministry each day during his short time on earth. What a privilege it is to try to join God in ascribing unsurpassable worth to all we come in contact with. ("ascribe unsurpassable worth" is a great term my Minnesota pastor Greg Boyd uses often :) I know this can only be done "pole, pole" ~ "slowly, slowly", but it is a fun and interesting journey!
