GAME DAY

Today was incredible. The games were a beautiful sea of yellow, green, blue and red. It was amazing to know that these children worked so hard in everything they do whether it is learning or sports. More and more kids opened up to me. They held my hand and smiled at me. They were so much fun! It was great to see the community come out in support of the kids. This is an annual event. Parents even raced at the end of the day.

The end did not come until 2:30 or 3:00.

Thinking that most of these kids had not had breakfast, we were in the hot sun. (Well the visitors and parents could sit under this stadium). I of course did not because you can't get as good of pictures under there! ;-) I have only taken about 1500 so far. I just don't want to forget any of my experience!!!!!!

This has been a wonderful yet emotionally exhausting event that will forever live in my heart.

Speaking of heart........on the way back to the school, several of us decided to walk back to the school with the students. That is a decision I will NEVER regret! A few hundred yards after we left, a young girl was carrying her little brother and had gotten tired. She put him down. So, I asked him if he wanted me to carry him. He reached for my hand

I carried him through the valley. The thing about it is he actually made me feel safer. We walked through small ally ways and through side streets to get back to the school. We passed through vendors selling all kinds of things. There were many beauty salons, potato vendors, bananas, “scratch tickets” and other things in these small shacks. It was quite intimidating walking through because it was very close quarters, but just like at the school, if there was a small child especially, and you smiled at the mother in appreciation for the beauty of their child, she would beam. So, I smiled a lot, because there were many beautiful children.

I tried to take in as much as possible, because it is not really safe to take pictures in the valley. It is different around the school where they are happy you are there and understand who you are. My eyes could not keep up with everything around me. My heart could not process things fast enough either!

When we arrived at the school the kids were still on a high from the great day we had. This little girl came up and handed Clare a piece of candy. My eyes and Clare’s as well started to water. She tried to refuse it, but did not want to insult the girl. This is a very hospitable and gracious society. Then this little girl handed me one as well. Being completely overwhelmed by the day and the walk through the valley, I could not hold it together any longer! Tears started streaming down my face faster than I could wipe them away. When the bus arrived, Bethany looked out the window and mouthed, “Are you okay?” Well, I was okay, physically. But I don’t think I will ever recover from the sites, sounds and smells of this experience. And I don’t mean that in a bad way. This is the best thing that has ever happened to me to make me realize how great my life is and how much more I could give, not just in money, but also emotionally. These children love that they have gotten shoes. They love that they have gotten t-shirts and have a meal at the school, but the thing they cherish the most is when I call them by name. And those of you that know me, know that is a HUGE challenge for me. But, I try really hard!!!!!!!

I met a girl named Liz today and I told her that was my mom’s name. She beamed. Alex and I bantered back and forth over who’s team was going to win. He was green. I was yellow. He won; we came in 3rd (out of four).

When we got back to the school, Clare and I decided to get the jump ropes she and I had bought at a local toy store after seeing the children try to jump rope with string. You would never know that $5 could bring so much joy. These were large jump ropes that you can double Dutch with. Even though it was close to 4:00, the students did not want to go eat. They wanted to continue jumping. But, the teachers insisted and we apologized for interrupting. They said no worries of course. The students were very concerned that the jump ropes being taken care of and decided on which student should take them in!

The way back was yet another adventure. Our driver Peter is incredible. The driving around here is Northern VA without lines on the road! I am not kidding!!! Sometimes in the mornings there are 3 lanes of traffic going one way and sometimes there are 7 lanes of traffic where there should be 4. It was quite scary. Joy and I keep wondering why we continue to sit in the front of the bus, because we are on the edge of our seats watching people swerve in front of us and cut of off and come so close I can touch the other vehicle without putting my arm out the window…I am not kidding!!

Anyway, we got stuck in traffic. Another similarity to NVA. We just sat. Peter actually turned off the bus. Then we went through these side streets and got stuck in another traffic jam. It was unbelievable, but Peter got us out safe and sound. Well, there was a hole in the roof and I got a little wet when it started dripping on my head. You think we have pot holes at home? NOPE! The ones here are bigger than our stew pot!

David is really going to be interested to see the pictures of how they build scaffolding. It is amazing!

Well, I have tried to write down as much as I could to show you and help me remember this incredible day. We have to get up very early in the morning to go on Safari. It is a 4-hour drive on very difficult roads.