Lots of Firsts

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand.”

 -1 Chronicles 29:14

I wake up at 5:20 AM because it’s my turn to do breakfast duty. We are having bread, fruit, and eggs today. I go into the kitchen and turn on the lights so the kids who are on breakfast duty will know I am ready. I start slicing bread, cutting up onion and pepper for the eggs, and cracking eggs.  I mix the ingredients together (minus the bread) and pour them into a pan. Each kid gets a slice of bread, a piece of fruit, and a slice of egg for breakfast. All the kids come in and start eating. It’s my chance to tell them good morning and check their school uniforms. After they eat they all go brush their teeth, do their chores, and head to school.

If it’s Monday, Wednesday, or Friday, we’ll be working in the shamba (field). If it’s a Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, we’ll be deep cleaning the orphanage. Sometimes the kids come home from school for lunch (3 times a week) and then head back to school.

They get home around 4 and start their chores. They must water the garden, bring in wood for the stove, and get their laundry off the line. At 6, they start to take showers, and at 7 we eat dinner. After dinner the kids do their chores, brush their teeth, and then we go and tuck them in. (sing a song, tell them we love them and Jesus loves them, and do prayers) Then we go to bed so we can wake up and do it all again. 

I am amazed by the beauty that is here. I still have frequent moments of “I am in Africa!” I am not sure when it will ever truly sink in. The longer I am here the less I notice that I am one of the only white people in the village. (Soon to be the only white person, because BBK left, and Molly and Corrinne are leaving this week) There are different reactions people have to us; most of the time we either fascinate babies, or make them cry. The older people love us and just want a chance to meet us, or walk with us, or show us off. Kids are intrigued by us, but only the brave ones will come and talk to us, (otherwise they stare until we make eye contact then they run). 

This week I had a few “firsts”; Intense back breaking, muscle building, shamba work, the same kind of washing clothes by hand work, and attending a funeral for a two year old boy.

It’s heart breaking and leaves you at a loss for words when someone loses a two year old suddenly. And even worse because you will never know what it he had. Corrinne, Molly, and I went to the funeral. The women go in one place and the men in another. We sat with the mother of the baby, and her mom and family. They were in good spirits, but the sadness was in their eyes. However this unfortunate circumstance gave us a chance to really connect with people from the village. Show them that we really care, and want to know them. 

I already miss washing machines, and it’s been only 3 weeks and I have only done one load.

I officially know all the kids’ names, and have some sort of connection with each one. I am really excited about it because they are like my kids! In fact one of the boys was holding my hand and says, “We are your kids yes?” Of course they are! I have eleven children….. Yea, eleven! In January we hope to have around twenty.  

There are 5 boys and 6 girls and they have separate rooms (obviously).  We have 3 staff members; Mekio, Jeni, and Regina.  Regina sleeps in the boys room, and Jeni with the girls. Everyone does a little bit of everything, although me and Corrinne are wanting to set up official job descriptions. I have never done a “management” type job, it’s interesting to be learning these skills here. Corrinne is a great teacher, and obviously a wonderful manager.  I am preparing for my 4-5 weeks here without any other American volunteers. I am pretty confident I can handle it. :)

 

Swahili is coming along slowly. I am picking up new things everyday which is exciting. Plus I have to get my numbers down seeing as I am going to be doing the grocery shopping by myself for a while.

We ran out of water this week, there hasn’t been as much rain as there should be and so there is no water. We have places we can go to get water, which is good; we just don’t have any at the orphanage. 

Christmas is coming, and I am really excited. I have some fun things planned for the kids! Today I made our super awesome, paper Christmas tree; complete with cut out lights, a star on top and fake presents underneath. The kids will be making ornaments and snowflakes today! On Christmas eve we will be decorating cookies! It’s going to be hard being away for the holidays but I am excited to share it with my new kids. ;) 

Thank you all for your prayers, we all appreciate it, and they are much needed.

The kids:

Boys- Hosea, Elisha, Elia, Ima, Goodluck

Girls-Tumpe, Elenesta, Jeneti, Eliza, Ziada, Priska