At long last we have found our way back to an internet connection to update you on our adventures. As we remember it we last told you about our Tuesday afternoon. Here is the continuation…
After eating a light snack of cheese, crackers and Clif Bars, we pulled out our massive suitcases and started to arrange gifts for Grace, Ignatius and the children residing at the Living Compassion House. We assembled colorful, handpainted shirts made by the participants from our last Bridge Walk as well as markers, stickers, pens, pencils, erasers, drawing pads and writing pads, balloons, balls and oodles of other goodies that were thoughtfully donated, then packed for the children. Once everything was as perfect as we could make it, we drove over, excited to visit the house again.
It was wonderful to see everyone, this time in the full-light of the day. Womba, Finita, Kaleshi, Steppo, Ken, Memory, Ann, and Yeta ran out to greet us. Grace stepped out onto the porch holding the new baby, Hope (being held by Jen in this picture to the left) –the namesake of “Adopting Hope”, one of the projects we are planning to launch while we are here in Africa. (More details on that project to follow in coming reports.)
After our initial hellos, we went into the house and began giving out the packs of goodies for the children. They were a bit shy and held the gifts in their laps. Then one of the older children, Ann, began to put stickers on her fingernails. Soon after Dave broke out some bubbles and began sending shimmering soap globes towards the children. Balloons began to fill. Balls began to fly. Soon the living room was roaring with mayhem—no one could contain their playful enthusiasm.
It didn’t take long for the action to find its way outside. Caverly and Finita began swinging the jump rope for a very springy Womba. While a couple of the Africa Team stayed outside with the children, teaching them games light Red Light, Green Light and Duck, Duck Goose, a special meeting was happening inside the house with the parents of the household, discussing how the new family is getting on—it was reminiscent of our Kids Retreats at the Monastery where some monks spend time with the “little monks” and other monks facilitate the parents.
As night fell we said our goodbyes and thanked the whole family for a fun visit. We headed back to the friary for a good night’s sleep.