My entire squad is back together again for month 6. We’re partnered with El Shaddai, an orphanage of 50+ kids on top of a mountain surrounded by more mountains. The view looking out is incomparable to anything I’ve seen. The kids are beautiful little human beings with too much energy and smiles that melt your heart. As the end of this month draws near I know when I look back it will be one of my favorite countries I visited on the WR.
The staff at El Shaddai has set up a buddy system where every kid is partnered with a world racer. My little guy’s name is Mlungisi, but I call him Little Man. When we first met I was in the banana tree garden picking weeds. Little Man came around the tree where I was and he leaned over me. He made a silly face at me and when I looked up at him he ran away, laughing all the way. He came back a minute later, made another silly face, and ran away again. This time I got up and chased after him. I swung him up in my arms and asked him what his name was. He didn’t answer but instead pointed at me and said, “Baby”. I tilted my head and with a perplexed face I asked him if he was calling me Baby. He shook his head yes and since he refused to tell me his real name I called him Little Man and that’s what we’ve stuck with ever since.
Little Man comes from a rough background. When he came to the orphanage he and his sister were found alone eating animal feces because they had nothing else to eat. His story is unique, though almost every kid at El Shaddai has a story equally extreme as his. My heart aches at hearing the stories of injustice but thankfully God has rescued them and has given them a safe place to grow and sort through their pasts at El Shaddai.
Little Man is 7 years old. He is a playful, happy little boy who loves to give and receive hugs and climb on my back like a monkey. When I’m not eating, sleeping, or working on a project for the day, I’m with Little Man. We play on the monkey bars, swing on the swing set, go to English class, run around playing tag, play with worms in the mud, and hold hands wherever we go.
My favorite moments this month are with Little Man. Just this morning we were sitting next to each other in church. The service had just started and the worship team was leading songs in the front. I looked over at Little Man as he watched with fascination the strumming of the guitar and the beating of the drum. After a moment or two he looked up at me and his face spread into a huge smile with happiness written all over his face. He then grabbed my hand in my lap and held it for the rest of the service. My heart melted instantly at his small act of vulnerability and love.
This month I’ve been completely awed by God’s beauty and loving mercy in these children’s lives. There’s no place I’d rather be this Christmas season. Though the month is wrapping up and I’m looking forward to South Africa I will be leaving a big piece of my heart with Little Man and the children at El Shaddai. Merry Christmas everyone!
Fundraising update:
Currently I’m $1,600 away from being fully funded. The official deadline for raising funds is January 1st. If you would like to give a donation you can click on the link to the left below my picture that says “Support Me”. Thank you all for following my race and supporting me in prayer!
