We have a beach not even a two minute walk from our house. It's not your typical beach though, there's no sand or fish or even a body of water. Does this leave you wondering? What kind of beach is this crazy girl talking about? Well let's just say since day one we have called this location 'the beach'.It's a stage. Yes. You read that correctly. A stage. Right next to our church and the pastor's house is a blue stage. It sits facing a little patch of green grass, a couple trees and up above lies the bright blue sky. This cement slab that rises 3 feet off the ground and has some cracks on top. We enjoy coming here and soaking up the African sun and being outdoors.
One evening as the sun was setting, I sat at 'the beach' writing in my journal. Church had just finished and I didn't feel like going home yet. People were flooding out and children started to gather around me. Their little whispers and giggles filled the air as they admired my journal and Bible. I love kids but I really wanted to have some quiet time and write out my thoughts and latest activities. Sometimes peace and quiet is what you want and it isn't what you receive.
I changed my plans and before long I was leading them all in the song 'head, shoulders, knees and toes' in English. Moments later I was being taught the same song in Kiswahili.
Head = Kichwa
Shoulders = Mabega
Knees = Magoti
Toes = Vidole
Eyes = Macho
Ears = Sikio
Mouth = Mdomo
Nose = Pua
It's so rewarding and humbling to be taught another language by seven sweet, smiling, innocent local kids. My plans may have changed but I wouldn't have changed that moment in time for anything!
Hugs from the Future,
Kaleena Paige
