Sharing, Smiling, Singing...

Bonnie became the student as

the children taught her Swahili

by using stuffed animals.

Saturday morning, we returned to our schedule of teaching, Internet café, and meetings. The only problem was erratic electricity throughout the day. On Saturday afternoon and night, the team went to the children’s home for the evening meal and to be with the children. We sang together and played together. The team, led by Anne, taught the children English songs, while the children taught the team a little Swahili. Zech had his guys playing football (soccer).

Bonnie and Bill became the students as the children began to teach them Swahili. Sign language and constant repetition were the order of the day. Bonnie had a group teaching her the names of animals using stuffed toys, while Bill learned numbers and names. Each time he said the Swahili correctly, the “teachers” responded with a chorus of “Yes!” Anne worked with Agnes, the song leader of the children, on the new songs. Floyd heard a voice saying, “baboo!” At first, he wondered if they were calling him, “Baboon,” but, he learned the children were calling Bonnie and him, “Grandmother and Grandfather.”

The team enjoyed a delicious meal with the children and staff prepared by Alex, the cook, with help from the staff. Traditional foods were served (spiced rice, beans, cabbage, beef and fruit).

Because of government regulations, the food served the children is very basic. Once a week, they have a treat of a soda (Fanta or Coke), fruit drink, or some other rare special treat. Breakfast consists of tea and bread. Lunch is rice, potatoes, ugali, or peanuts and beans. Dinner follows the same menu with some fruit, corn, cabbage, or other green vegetable. Mpeli told us that they were allowed to serve the children meat no more than three times a week. While this sounds very limited to us, the children are very happy with their daily feasts.

The quality of the food is excellent. The government regulations allow only food that the children would eat if not in the children’s home. They have three meals a day and can eat as much food as they want at every meal. Some of the fresh greens are grown at the children’s home. The dream is to establish a farm there in order to provide an ongoing source of fresh vegetables, milk and fruits.

Zech and the children are all smiles as they

jump for the Lord!

Anne and one of her new young friends.