Wednesday, May 11, 2005

What I love



1) Playing in the rain with my boys, after 6 months of dry season.

2) When little children run and jump into my arms.

3) The way Nigerians are so quick to help someone in need.

4) Going to the market and talking in Hausa, buying fabric, and bartering for the best price.

5) Packing 18 of my boys in my truck (not against the law here?)

6) Caring for two HIV+ widows, whose sons live in our Care Center


Each staff member is assigned to three boys to spend time with each week, to encourage and pray with them. My boys are Benjamin, Matthew P. and Matthew A. Each of these boys has a past of neglect and abuse. Now they are thriving at our Care Center. I love spending time with them. Recently I had them over for dinner at my house. They have never eaten at a restaurant, so we pretended that my house was one, complete with background music and a candle. I fed them Chicken Pot Pie, plantains, rice, corn, and muffins- a big change from their usual meals. They were SO thrilled! The entire meal they just exclaimed over the food and also all the way home! One even said, 'Auntie, I want you to be my mother.' Definitely the food talking, but sweet words to my soul. Times like that fills my heart with inexpressible joy and thanksgiving for being here in Nigeria.