Today was our first full day of camp! I woke up a little worried because my vertigo was still there when I stood up. There were times amongst all of the running and jumping about this morning that I thought I might either a. puke or b. pass out because I could not stop feeling dizzy. I literally prayed my way through and God is so good because he was able to deliver me from it all so that I could focus on my kiddos! I want to give him the glory even with the small stuff.
Yesterday was honestly a little akward at times with my kids. I mean I did run at them like a
I guess they like this crazy muzungu (white) lady afterall. Thank goodness! I was excited to see their little faces smiling back at me. I knew that today was going to be a good day.
Yesterday I figured out really fast that they love football (soccer). So today I came prepared. I have no idea how to play soccer. I mean don't get me wrong, I know you are supposed to kick the ball and all but that's a hit or miss literally. They didn't really care. I had their hearts at "look what I brought". Well actually it was more like the sight of the ball considering they don't understand English. It was my ice breaker. I know I know- cheap entertainment. I have no shame in using this tactic to open their little hearts and souls.
A large part of our morning was spent in rotations so we could take official snaps (pictures) of all of the boys, size them for shoes (that they didn't know they were getting) and give them an opportunity to color (an incredible treat). At first there was a frenzy for the crayons. Remember, this isn't something they get to do on a regular basis. This is a REAL treat for them. It was a blessing to see the joy they had in doing such a simple task. When they were finished we put their pictures in page protectors to keep them safe from the massive dust that one encounters from the moment they step outdoors. Word is that they take the picture home and hang it on a nail as a prized posession.
(Ignore the 1/1/2007 dates. My camera got confused for a moment.)
One of my kiddos named Elias is quite the little lady charmer and he loves to grab my camera and take snaps (pictures). Some of the pictures you are seeing are his photography skills at work. He took the following photo while she was taking his photo. I love that they are feeling comfortable enough that they are showing their little personalities!
One of my favorite parts of each day is when we get to come together and sing praise to the Lord. There is absolutely nothing like 750 little Zambian kiddos and 100 uncoordinated muzungus acting a fool and rejoicing together! FYI- Elias is the little guy singing to the camera the whole time.
One of the things we have been discussing as Americans is the complete lack of respect and value for women in Zambia. There is a complete breakdown in the family structure and fathers are neglecting their responsibilities to be men, raise men and show their daughters what real men look like. Instead they are beating their wives and children, raping young girls, prostituting them out to other men, and getting drunk or flat out just not being around at all. Since naturally children learn by example this pattern is just repeating over and over. Doesn't sound all that different from some of the stories I hear in our own country. Scary thought. What tiny little thing would have to change in our own country for us to end up like Zambia? That's hard to chew.
We really focused on teaching the boys that they should honor and respect all women in their lives. We started by breaking cultural boundaries and having the boys serve the girls lunch. The boys didn't eat their lunch until the girls had theirs and during lunch they sat behind the girls in case they needed anything. Afterwards they cleaned up after the girls.
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Disclaimer: I am a proponent of serving EACH OTHER but keep in mind that we were trying to shock their systems and challenge stigmatisms by being completely counter-cultural.
I have to tell you that there are so many simple things that these children do not know or understand because no one has ever told them or taught them. So much of the knowledge that we take for granted is something that we are naturally taught along the way by someone somewhere. This is not the case in Zambia. No one tells them. No one told their parents. And no one told the generations before them. Forget chivalry being dead. It never even existed here.
To my surprise just because of one simple discussion about respecting women and one simple task of having them serve the young girls I came over to our group to find this...
My boys had taken my chintenge out of my backpack and laid it out for me so I wouldn't have to sit on the dirt! They thought about me and my comfort all because we simply told them that they should care about women. I'm seeing a chain reaction...
Today was a joy. Success feels like little ones initiating a hug from you because they are starting to trust you and your smile...even if they still can't understand a word that you are saying. It's only Tuesday and it's already starting to feel like we need each other. I don't want to think about what Friday is going to feel like.
BLESSING TIME
This is George #2.
He is 8 years old.
When he grows up he wants to be a police officer.
He eats once a day.
He suffers from Malaria.
George is a double orphan and he lives with his Grandma and Uncle. Neither of them have work at the moment and they both beat him.
George lives in a 2 room house with 6 people. He has 2 older siblings that beat him and 1 younger sibling. He sleeps on a bamboo mat with his Grandma.
George goes to a community school and wants to learn how to read. He enjoys learning his letters. He says he has good friends at school to play with.
George is sad that his parents are gone. He is afraid because strange people come in the door of their home. He has dreams of witch doctors coming and taking him outside to beat him. He says he feels loved by God but isn't sure he is ready to accept Christ.
This is Andrew.
He is 9 years old.
When he grows up he wants to be a soldier.
He eats twice a day.
He lives with his mom and dad. His dad just got out of jail for stealing. He drinks and yells at the mother. Mom does not work but sometimes dad sells tools. His parents pay for him to go to school.
Andrew lives in a 2 room house with 6 people. He is the oldest child and has 3 younger siblings. He sleeps on a sack on the floor with his younger brother.
Andrew goes to a government school and enjoys math. He says he has good friends to play with at school.
Andrew feels sad when he is sent home form school because his fees are not paid. He is afraid because the witch doctor broke into his home and placed charms around the house. His mother chased her out. He has dreams that witches stab him and throw him into the river. He says he is not sure if God can love him.
We had an intense talk in our after dinner meeting tonight. It literally shattered the earth from beneath my feet. Stay tuned for details to come...
