After working hard in the morning we would take a lunch break and try to fit in a little siesta if possible. The problem (if you want to call it that) was that we had children yelling from the beach for us long before our nap 
began. These children are the ones that Jose and Naara consider to be their “church”. They come every afternoon, no matter what day it is or what the weather. They are there to play and hang out. Jose and Naara provide soccer and volleyballs for them to play with and spend quality time playing games and singing and dancing. I loved spending time swimming and splashing around with the children in Lake Malawi!
Many of us played soccer and volleyball games against the older guys who sometimes came to the beach. They were already pretty good at soccer, and were getting better and better at volleyball before we left. It was a great way to spend the afternoon. We even got in some amazing games of our own…3 on 3 tournaments that were pretty intense!
The children loved to spend time with us, no matter the fact that we couldn’t speak their language and they knew very little English. All they wanted was our time. I could sit and draw pictures in the sand and entertain them for hours. Or walk up and down the beach taking pictures and just being silliy. They loved it all. They don’t seem to get that kind of attention from their families at home. They seem to crave it and come back day after day.
I grew to love these children and am going to miss the afternoons on the beach we had. I love their creativity, their kindness and generosity, their inquisitiveness and their genuine love that they lavish on you without any stipulations. They are amazing and beautiful children and I pray that Jose and Naara’s presence will continue to make an impact on their lives, spiritually, emotionally, and everything in between!
