What YOU have helped me do!

November 7th 2007

Here I am, 8 months into my African Journey. I have ten weeks left before I leave all this behind. My entire time here has been very reflective. My mind is filled with thoughts about justice, power, children's rights, politics, prejudice and God (love). So much has happened to me that it is often even difficult to explain how I feel now, but one thing is certain: I am a changed person.

Not only have I gotten to know more about the world and my place in it, but I have also gotten the amazing ability to see 7 African countries (South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Mozabique, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Namibia). This blog though is intended to say a big huge THANK YOU to all of you who read this and support me both financially and emotionally. I thought I would compile a list of things that YOU(by supporting me) have helped me do here.

1. I was able to buy new black baby dolls for my little girls and cool police cars for my boys. Last week I had all of them close their eyes and put their hands out to recieve their new toy. They were so excited and immediatly began to play with them and continued for 5 hours!! Those cars were all over the playground and on every wall, while the dolls were held and kissed. That night the boys even slept with their cars!

2. Due to the chaos and disorganisation of this place it went unnoticed that one of the 9 year old girls did not have any shoes except for her school uniform ones. For her birthday some volunteers and I bought her a new pair of pink and white sneakers.

3. Some of the older girls were in need of their first bra so we bought them one.

4. There is a room in the oldest house on the property that is used for homework and "fun nights", it has been in need of some new paint and a remodel. Another volunteer fundraised all the money for the paint and supplies. I came up with the colors (avacado green and white) and had the idea for the older children to paint small "murals" on the wall. It has turned out so beautiful. Two volunteers are electritians and so were able to rewire the room for new lights and now the florescent light has been replaced with "gallery spotlights." The other day I was cleaning the bathroom in the same house when all the oldest children gathered in the room just to sing and talk. It was the first time I saw anyone want to be in the room because the atmosphere is so nice now.

5. I was able to buy nappies (when this place had no money) and regularly buy wipes for their little bums (there is never money for wipes... totally lame!)

6. And priceless is the amount of hugs, kisses, prayers and good talks I was able to give and also take!

This week alone has been very very difficult because the new little boy I wrote about before was taken home to live with his uncle today. For reasons I won't go into here, he was considered "unsafe". It makes us all so sad because we know that his uncle didn't want him in the first place because his mother (when she was alive) was considered "bad and shameful" to the family. I worry that he won't be loved and treated right. I hope I am wrong. So please remember to keep him in your prayers. He needs a safe childhood.

In other news look at my pictures. I have some new ones up. Also, I am sad to miss Thanksgiving this year. Some of us Americans are planning a volunteer thanksgiving with the germans. I will especially miss stovetop stuffing this year (hint hint)! For christmas it has been decided that we will take the children to the beach for the day! I am so excited. Christmas in a bathing suit!!

Love,
Melissa