What a Wonderful World

"But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran and put his arms around him and kissed him."
Luke 15:20

The rainy season is beginning here in Morogoro.  This past week we had three days of rain, which I know is nothing compared to the massive amounts of rain Texas has been receiving over the past month, but for us here in Morogoro those three days brought much needed respite from the scorching sun we have seen every day for the past four months.  With the rain clouds came cooler temps (70 instead of 85) which meant everyone here was bundled up in sweatshirts and jackets. Life continued as normal, but just as the children at school covered their heads with their sweaters as they ran from class to class, the rain draped life in peace and calm.  I have been assured that once the rainy season really hits and it starts raining every day and doesn't stop for months, I will be sick of it, but for now I thank God for the blessing of rain and look forward to our next day of peace and calm.  

My sister interviewed me this week for her journalism class.  She asked me questions about why I decided to move here, what challenges I have faced, and aspects of my day to day life that differ from my life in America.  One of the questions she asked me was what is my favorite part about my life here.  With little hesitation I answered her, "The kids." I am always surrounded by kids.  Whether I am at school, at church, or at home, kids are always around.  There are around a dozen kids who live close to my house who make daily trips to see me.  When they see me walking home from school they run to me, arms open, yelling "Maaaaadam! Maaaaadam!"  They embrace me with all their strength and cling to my side as we walk the rest of the way to my house.  They know I always have packages of cookies (here they are called biscuits) or candy for them to eat.  I go into the house to retrieve their treats as they wait anxiously outside.  Once everyone has their snack they thank me and sit on the porch to eat, talking and dancing and laughing together.  When they've all finished they give me huge hugs and run back home yelling, "Kesho Madam!" (tomorrow). 

One of the little girls, Ustina, is especially sweet.  She is four years old but can't weigh more than thirty pounds.  Every time I see her she runs to me to be held.  I pick her up and she wraps her tiny arms and legs around me and nestles her head on my shoulder.  Even if it is hot and she and I are both sweating, she keeps her head resting there until I put her down again.  This weekend she came to my house and quietly knocked on the door.  She came in and sat on the couch watching TV.  I had a cereal bowl full of watermelon pieces that I offered her.  She took the bowl and quickly ate it all, her eyes glued on the television.  When she finished I offered her a bowl of pineapple which she happily took and, again, ate every bite.  We had some leftover chapati (tortilla like bread) from breakfast so I offered her one and gave her a glass of milk to wash it down.  She sat for a half hour silently finishing her food, her little belly obviously full, but I know if I had offered her something else she would have taken it without question.  

I wish I lived in a world where I had unlimited resources to feed every kid in my neighborhood that way for every meal of every day.  Where I could pay for all of them to attend the best schools. Where I had an unlimited supply of "biscuits" to give to every kid who knocked on my door wanting a special treat and where the hugs that I give them could bring physical healing for their wounds and sickness.  I dream of that world, but I don't live there.  I do live in a world where God has blessed me with more than I need so that I can be a blessing to the children in need around me.  And guess what? You live in this world too.  Where or to whom are you giving your excess blessings?

Last Sunday I traveled the five hour bus trip to Dar es Salaam with Junior and Frank.  We stayed over night and took care of the work we needed to do in the morning and then returned in the afternoon (hence the absence of my blog last week).  We arrived at the bus station here in Morogoro and took motorcycles home.  I was exhausted from the trip, my head was hurting from being on the loud bus and I was sticky and sweaty from the Dar humidity.  But as we turned into the driveway I heard the little voices. "Maaaaadam! Maaaaadam! Wow! Wow! Umerudi! Tumekumiss!" (You're back! We missed you!)  As the kids took my bags and embraced me in hugs and kisses, my heart melted.  I was only gone for 24 hours but my little friends greeted me as if I was the lost sheep who had been found or the prodigal son who had just returned home.  How lucky am I to receive such an apparent show of God's love for me every day?  I pray that you, too, have this kind of love in your life.  

Mungu akubariki,

Allee

The scene at my house when I returned from Dar es Salaam