Africa.
The place I always dreamed of…the place I had no idea would feel so much like home.
My experience so far in Swaziland has been better than I could have ever imagined it to be. My entire squad is together this month for the 3rd time on the race. I had the honor of being chosen as the person who would lead the ministry in the baby house this month. It has been the biggest blessing in my life and it is such a privilege to work with these children.
There are seventeen of them in total. They each have unique personalities; some sweet, some spunky, some as sassy as can be. I love each of them so much. I am learning from them each day about patience, kindness, perseverance, and that we can overcome anything with God by our side. All of the kids’ at El Shaddai come from different backgrounds. Some simply had families who could no longer care for them, some have been abused sexually and physically, some were just abandon or ignored. Some have been beaten and starved.
But our God is a redeeming God.
He has brought each child, all 96 of them, to safety here at El Shaddai orphanage. Here they are well taken care of, fed three meals every single day, and most importantly they are protected and loved. They find friendship in each other and they are taught each day about the goodness of Jesus.
So back to the baby house. For their own protection I cannot tell you their personal stories but I can tell you a little about each baby and their hilarious personalities!
1. Chief. His swazi name is Mancoba but they have called him Chief since he was little. He is somewhere between 4 and 5 years old. If you have ever seen the kid from the youtube video “kid president” this is what Chief looks like. He is obsessed with super heroes and he always has the most adorable, mischievous grin stretched across his face. He has such a kind heart and a hilarious personality. He runs around the playground pretending to fly and cast webs from his hands like Spiderman
2. Sivuno. Sivuno is probably the smartest kid in the baby house. He is five years old. He sings all of his A,B,Cs, can count as high as I can, knows all of his colors and numbers and can even write his name. We watched “How to train your dragon” one day and within two hours he had drawn an exceptional dragon in the red African dirt. He’s sweet as can be and I’m praying he never loses his desire to learn.
3.Musi Hlophe. He is a big brother to twin girls that are also in the baby house. It’s adorable the way he loves and protects them making sure they are okay. He also is a huge help in telling us which twin is which! He loves showing you all of the things he can do; from climbing around the playground to flying on the swings. He is a big lover and such a good listener.
4. Musi Dlamini. One of my little trouble makers. Don’t let him fool you though, he is a sweetheart with one wild spirit. He is newer to the orphanage and so he doesn’t speak much english. He does speak some though, and his favorite thing to do is to pretend he has no idea what I’m saying. He has the cutest smile and will be in my lap before my butt even hits whatever it is I’m trying to sit on. You can tell he just wants lots of love.
5. Brian. Brian is the sweetest baby ever. He is 2 years old and has cerebral palsy. He can’t walk or crawl, but is still such a joyful little boy. He is so chubby and has the cutest smile ever. He has his very own racer who works with him everyday so I don’t interact with him that much, but I love just seeing his adorable face every day.
6. Sakhile. This is Brians older brother. He is somewhere between age 3 and 4, I’m not quite sure. The way he protects and takes care of Brian is the most heart-touching thing in the world. He is also such a lover…one of those uncoordinated kids that tries so hard which makes him even cuter. The other day we were watching a movie and he was making sure myself and two other kids were tucked nicely under the blanket.
7. Bahle. This one runs me ragged every single day. He is four years old and has been here at the orphanage since he was a baby. He craves attention…which means he will do anything to get it. Poor kid usually ends up in time-out three times a day…but we’re working on it. He laughs at you when you are being serious and runs from you when you try to talk to him. But once you do get him to sit down and listen, those big tears come and you realize he just wants to cuddle or be loved. He has a super sweet side and usually will sit in your lap all day if you let him.
8. Musa. Sweet, tiny little Musa. He is also 4 years old and known for the big crocodile tears that are always running down his face. He is very sensitive and the cutest thing ever. He has these big beautiful eyes that he gets me with every time. He’s such a good listener too. Always ready to listen to the story or sing songs. Every time I see him I just want to squeeze the little guy. I’m praying he never gets orphan mentality and stays sweet as can be forever.
9. MuMu. I’m pretty sure she is 5 and also the most adorable thing ever. She is super tall and skinny and could easily be a model. She has a little sister with her in the baby house and I’ve seen her protect her many times. When snack gets passed out, she’s always there making sure her sister got some. When her sister is crying, she runs over to see what’s wrong. She has these big eyes and sweet, innocent smile that make you love her the minute you see her.
10. Thema. This is MuMu’s little sister. Man are they opposites. Thema has an attitude like you wouldn’t believe; which somehow adds to her cuteness. She is two and also looks like a little model. She didn’t trust any of us when we got here and wouldn’t let us touch her no matter what. Now though she’s always jumping in and out of my lap with this cute little smile on her face. The facial expressions she makes are so funny too. But don’t worry she’s still got that ‘tude. I think that’s something that sticks for life.
11. Angelique. The mom of the group. She is 5 and is seriously beautiful. She has this hilarious giggle, my goal is to catch it on camera before we leave. She also has this one dimple that shows when she laughs or smiles and it seriously is the best thing ever. I call her the mom because she takes care of the 8 month old baby all day long. There are aunties in the house obviously, but most days you will see 5 year old Angelique with 8month old Eli strapped to her back just walking around. When he cries, she is the one he wants. It really is touching the way she cares for him, but it makes me a little sad that at 5 she understands how to do it all.
12. Faith and Hope. The twins who have the older brother (Musi). From what I’ve gathered they are almost 3 but look like they’re about one. It’s so fun to watch them interact, Hope is definitely the leader of the two. Whenever Faith cries Hope waddles over and pats her on the stomach until she stops crying. They are huge cuddle bugs and would let you hold them all day if it was up to them. They also have adorable laughs.
13. Baby Thema. A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E. It must be the name. This girl is one that has captured my heart forever. (She is the little baby I’m holding in my profile picture.) and oh if looks could kill. If you make her mad this girl will give you the most evil look out of the corner of her eye… but it is absolutely hilarious. The other day one of the twins was crying and I walked over and asked Thema what happened …she looks at me, looks at the crying baby, and gives me the biggest eye roll ever. She’s only 18 months old! But she is soooo adorable. She will cuddle up with you, hug you, and give you ‘tude all day long. I wish I could take her home.
14. Mike. Known to me as Mikey. This boy is the cutest. He’s about two and is obsessed with two things; shoes and food. Every time I see him he is eating something or has it all over his face. His feet are always decorated with some kind of shoe. Whether it be basketball looking shoes or girls hot pink, sparkly dress shoes. He loves his shoes. He has the most adorable laugh and just those awesome baby facial expressions that could provide entertainment for days.
15. Nabuthle. She is 5 and probably the sweetest girl in the entire baby house. She is soft-spoken and always has a big smile on her face. She does the monkey bars like a pro and is always wanting to show me the new trick she learned. I’ve never seen her hurt anyone and am also praying orphan mentality never strikes and she stays so sweet forever. She is a beautiful little girl.
16. Big Show. I can’t believe I almost forgot Big show. He is a tiny little 4 year old…with a big personality. He has these big eyes and mischievous smile that always let me know he’s up to no good. He is either super playful or in a mood where he wont talk to anyone. I have a video of him dancing though and it is HILARIOUS. He definitely lives up to his name.
17. And then there is Kevin. (Who we just found out’s real name is Celvin…oops. accents are hard.) This one is one I cannot, do not, want to leave. I’m praying that some day when I come back to Swaziland I leave and this boy comes with me. He is 4 and is SO FUNNY. He and I clicked from day one. He’s either always in my lap, on my hip, or on my heels. We make eye contact and he comes sprinting from wherever he is to jump into my arms. We have a bond that words could never do justice. He gives me the best hugs every day and I never leave without a kiss on the cheek. I also taught him something
“I am kind. I am smart. I am important. And Jesus loves me.”
And he knows it by heart now too. If that one line from a movie with something added in is the only thing he ever remembers about me…then I will have succeeded. Every day I ask him “Do you remember what I told you?” and he repeats it back to me flawlessly. Every single time. (except ‘important’ is pronounced ‘deportant’.) I truly love him and am seriously praying that one day he officially becomes mine.
But until then, I have to release them all back to God. He has given them to me for a month and I still have over a week left with them. They have changed my life, my attitude, everything I know. My patience has grown immensely and so has my heart for Africa …which I didn’t know was even possible.
