Brienna had already been playing with the kids by the time I made it outside today. She must have told the group of 12 preschool and elementary aged kids my name. As soon as I came into their view a couple of the kids came running with arms open expecting a hug, “Annie! Annie! Annie!” I felt loved immediately. We spent the morning playing with the rowdy bunch on the playground, with a soccer ball, and around the yard. “Can we go to the lemon tree?” one little girl asked. At the lemon tree the kids picked ripe lemons and started biting into the peel. Some asked to have their lemon peeled, but all of them happily ate the sour fruit. About an hour into the play time I had learned a few names and many of the personalities. It is amazing how such little creatures can have such big personalities.
This afternoon I played some more with the preschool and elementary group, but then I made my way into the toddler room. I helped to soothe an 18 month old crying baby that looked to be about 4 months old; she is unable to sit up on her own. Then I fed a bottle to a little boy who quickly started to fall asleep. As I looked at his chubby cheeks, I thought about the story that David shared with us yesterday. There is a place called Freedom Park that is a squatter camp, where many immigrants from surrounding countries end up when they cannot find work. The little boy that I held in my arms was found on a trash heap with his umbilical cord still attached. By looking at him you would never know it; he is now healthy and well cared for.
This evening we were invited to go to a youth group event held at one of the local churches. The loud music, excited teens, and energy level made me feel like I was attending a youth gathering in the states. After the youth group we went to a prayer event. Every two weeks a group gets together and prays for 24 hours for South Africa. We did not stay the whole night, but we did enjoy the music and atmosphere until we were too cold to stay any longer. The nights have been dropping down to about 32 degrees-hard to believe that we are in Africa.
