It seems that I can't stay away from winter. Going home after my DTS to one of the worst winters in michigan and few months later coming back here (South Africa) to their winter season. And coming from a Michigander it does get pretty cold at night! I just want some hot sun! I will regret saying that when summer roles around.
But it has already been 3 weeks! Time sure flies by when you are busy. For some that might not know I am a staff member at Ten Thousand Homes, and joined the Community Development Team. It has been amazing seeing faces again here on base and out in the communities. Wednesday is our regular Mbonisweni after school program and I challenged myself that day to be more interactive with the kids and show them they are loved. Once all the kids rolled into the program I spotted a little girl sitting on the ground all by herself, looking down, pulling the grass.
Here's my chance.
I walked up to her and sat down beside her. I smiled but she gave me a stare and began pulling the grass again. I asked how she was and what her name is but with such a soft voice I had to repeat again and again the questions. Starts to pull more grass. As little as she was I knew she wouldn't know much English but I began to ask different questions and she replied with only 'yes'. After a while it became funny to me and laughed, then she would laugh. I smile then she smiled. And really, before I knew it we're playing on the tires, she's climbing on my legs, arms, back and gibber jabbering in siSwati like I completely understand her.
That's all it took was one question or one smile, a laugh, to bring complete joy to this girl. I am beyond out of words to express what it's like to be staff here at TTH, to be here in South Africa. To be with these children daily pouring love into them or even them pouring love into us!
But it has already been 3 weeks! Time sure flies by when you are busy. For some that might not know I am a staff member at Ten Thousand Homes, and joined the Community Development Team. It has been amazing seeing faces again here on base and out in the communities. Wednesday is our regular Mbonisweni after school program and I challenged myself that day to be more interactive with the kids and show them they are loved. Once all the kids rolled into the program I spotted a little girl sitting on the ground all by herself, looking down, pulling the grass.
Here's my chance.
I walked up to her and sat down beside her. I smiled but she gave me a stare and began pulling the grass again. I asked how she was and what her name is but with such a soft voice I had to repeat again and again the questions. Starts to pull more grass. As little as she was I knew she wouldn't know much English but I began to ask different questions and she replied with only 'yes'. After a while it became funny to me and laughed, then she would laugh. I smile then she smiled. And really, before I knew it we're playing on the tires, she's climbing on my legs, arms, back and gibber jabbering in siSwati like I completely understand her.
That's all it took was one question or one smile, a laugh, to bring complete joy to this girl. I am beyond out of words to express what it's like to be staff here at TTH, to be here in South Africa. To be with these children daily pouring love into them or even them pouring love into us!
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