August 1st

Today was a great first day of August. We went to the orphan village for worship. The children sang and danced. I wish I could find a Sunday service that was so lovely. I would be there in a second with a pep in my step. I was asked to speak, and while at first I was nautiously nervous, I calmed down as soon as I stepped into the building filled with the kids. I had a little girl, Victoria, come keep my lap warm during service. I think she is around 6 or 7 years old. From then on, we were inseparable.

After worship, we had about an hour until the team had to leave for the airport. The team handed out candy and those silly bracelet band things while children crowded around with their palms to the sky, saying “me me me.” I had some sweeties to give, but as soon as I had children acting like begging dogs around me, I put them away and said, “no more.” Then, the children automatically lined up in a single file line and waited patiently for their candy. I didn’t prompt this at all, and it was a pleasant surprise. After seeing that, the candy just had to make its way out of the bag.

The team kind of left without saying bye, but it was partially my fault because I stepped into Resty’s house so she could show me the kind of bible that was easy for her to read. We read a few bible stories together, and then headed back outside. The bus was on its way out. So, there I was, the only Mzungu left, and I was okay with that. I would have to say that the village is one of my favorite places on the planet, and I feel completely comfortable there. I let Nelson and Resty both have turns with the camera. By the end of the night, I kid you not, I was putting in the sixth set of batteries. It was worth every battery though because those kids love to be both in front of and behind the camera. It actually turned out to produce some really great photos, photos that I probably wouldn’t have gotten otherwise.

The staff set up for the birthday party, and I just hung around with my newly acquired friends. It has been so nice getting to know them. Resty was very solemn, and when I asked why she wasn’t smiling, she said it was because I was leaving. Just thinking about her sad face makes me tear up (and yes, tears are filling my eyes as I type). I finally convinced her to smile when I started taking photos. We got rid of the blues for at least an hour after that.

One thing that I thought was really cool was that Victoria is a sound effects person, too. So, she would be making a sound or humming, and I would make a sound in return. In truth, I don’t think we spoke more than a sentence to each other in English, but we had our own secret sound effects language. It was really a lot of fun. And, she is so ticklish! The “bah-doop, bah-doop” game was very entertaining.

For the birthday party, Eve brought along Pastor Joy Headley and Karen. We had special chairs up front, we were served food first to eat in front of everybody, and the treatment was top notch. But really, it made me feel bad and uncomfortable. After quickly eating to get the food out of the hungry children’s faces, I invited some children to share my padded, front row seat with me. Victoria sat on my lap, Resty shared the left side of the chair, and Sharifah came and kept Eve’s chair warm since she spoke the entire time she was there. I’m glad my friends could sit with me, and I am glad that Resty’s frown was flipped to a smile.

The choir sang, the drummers drummed, the dancers danced… it was so much fun. The cake was cut, and the children could hardly contain themselves. When it came to handing out presents, I was able to hand out some. This made me happy. My friend Erinah, who shares a house with Resty, was one of the children that I presented with a gift. It was fun to present to someone that I knew.

After Eve handed out a few gifts, she was ready to leave. Since she was my ride, I was disappointed. I asked if I could walk back, and she agreed.

After the festivities, music filled the village and the children taught me to dance more “African” so I didn’t look too Mzungu. Once I started dancing, I had mums clapping, kids pulling me from one place to another to learn a new move or two, and just a bunch of fun. One of the kids swiped my camera and videoed it. Hmmm… I don’t think it will ever make it to the public eye, unfortunately for you guys! Maybe I’ll bust some moves at the wedding, just as a treat to you guys!

Once it started to get dark, the interpreters came to get me to walk back. I started my goodbyes or as Jessie would say, my see you soons! Resty just hugged me so tight and started balling. Of course you know my response, I started balling too!! When I started crying, I had Dan and some other boys hug me and pat me and tell me it was okay, that I would be back in December, which is exactly what I was telling Resty. Then little Victoria latched on to my leg for about 2 minutes solid. Everytime I walked, she said, “bah-doop.” This made me smile a whole lot. Throughout this whole trip, I would say the children served me more than I could have ever hoped to serve them.

I pulled myself together, and Nelson, Dan, and Frank walked me to the edge of the village. I got a big hug from Nelson. As I walked off, I got teary eyed again. I don’t think Nelson knew, so I think I was safe.

All of the interpreters walked me back to the hotel. They were headed to the internet cafe in town anyway, so it worked out perfectly. I really got to know Zion, the head Mistress at the school in the village, and it was a great experience as we tried to keep each other from falling in the mud puddles (it was very dark).

All in all it was a great night, but the goodbyes were really hard for me.