Our children have had a blast filling their days by playing with local kids. Whether it's football (ie. soccer), bike riding, sidewalk chalk, tree climbing, exploring, or butterfly hunting, there are always lots of children around to join in on the fun. The local kids also seem to be having a great time congregating in our yard, peering in our windows, checking out our toys, and garbage, and clothes line. While we have been stretched at times acclimating to all of this attention and constant chatter outside our windows, it has been a blessing for our children to have so many playmates. We have enjoyed watching them interact closely with children who have so much less than they do, but also seem to have a real happiness and zest for life.
We've had our hearts broken a few times as well. Recently, we saw one of Eli's friends digging through our garbage heap and pulling out watermelon rinds to eat. We frequently find trash strewn all over our yard as the children look for things that might be useful for food or fun to play with. But as we spend time with so many local kids, many of whom are becoming close friends, we are learning to appreciate the blessings that God has given to our family. We are also learning about our own hearts. I (Marc) often feel like one of the apostles trying to shoo kids away when they are disturbing a family meal or Isaac and Katelyn's nap time, but I can hear Jesus saying, "Let the little children come to me." Pray with us for more patience and appreciation for these little blessings that come calling each day.
Eli is fascinated with all things creepy and crawly. Here he is playing with a lizard. He likes the ones who's tails fall off to escape when he picks them up.
We always have a few kids right outside the door waiting for Eli to come out.
Isaac and Hailey are getting a bit spoiled because there is always a child who is more than happy to carry them around. They are getting a little too accustomed to this mode of transport!
One of our favorite memories was from the day we brought out a net and peanut butter jars and went on a butterfly hunt. The boys loved it, but they couldn't understand why we would want to catch butterflies just for fun. They eat grasshoppers here as a snack, so they couldn't figure out why we would catch and release the butterflies instead of eating them!
It has been a joy to share food and water with our little friends. Watermelon and popcorn have been some of the favorite snacks. Most of these children only eat once a day, so they are always happy to see food when it comes out our door.
Water is a precious resource here, especially during the dry season. The community taps frequently run dry and people have to fetch water from the river, which is contaminated with bacteria and parasites. As more and more children come to play in our yard, we have been getting a lot of requests for water. It is hard to provide water for our kids when they come inside thirsty without answering the requests from the local children. Here is Stephanie providing water to the boys on our doorstep.
This is the 'Nyahuka Biker Gang'. We bought two bicycles for Eli and Hailey shortly after we arrived. The other kids would watch them longingly as they rode around the mission property. We realized we were about ten bikes short of having enough for everyone. On our next trip to Fort Portal we came back with eight more riding toys we bought from a missionary family so the kids could have more to share. Within a week, we were again about ten bikes short! This picture shows thirty kids who came to play last week. This is a now a common site in our yard as kids know that we have bikes and scooters!
Hailey learned how to ride without training wheels in November. Look at her go!
Eli has gained lots of new buddies. The one he has his arms around likes to pretend he is a karate instructor. The boys call him "Teacher". He apparently learned how to do karate by watching Jackie Chan movies. I have no idea where he got them! But he's pretty good and gives karate lessons to the other boys.
Look at those faces! Who wouldn't want to see these smiling kids each day?
I'm so encouraged by how well your kids have befriended other kids in the neighborhood! What a beautiful blessing. We are hoping our kids will enjoy new friendships as well. And I can't wait to show our son Caleb the picture with the lizard :) He's an animal lover and is most excited about all the animals in Kenya. Thanks for sharing about the recent events in Bundibugyo (and Kampala)!
ReplyDelete