This week has been pretty much a normal week in ministry.
The taxis started running again last Friday, so we had no problems getting to
ministry. The girls at EP are really opening up to Meghan and I. We’ve
struggled through 4 or 5 weeks of sitting in silence trying to drag
conversation out of them. There are days when we’ve definitely gotten the
feeling that that they don’t want us in their home and feel ignored by them or get
only one word answers. BUT, Meghan and I left the children’s home yesterday
practically jumping up and down because we are finally IN! We were supposed to
stay for dinner, but the house mom didn’t have all the ingredients for what she
wanted to make for us. So, we are staying for dinner on Monday instead. And,
the girls were chatterboxes yesterday. We’ve been praying fervently every day
that they’d want us to be there, and we finally feel like they do!
Swimming lessons are still as fun as always. The kids rarely
listen, though I continuously scream “luister” (“listen” in Afrikaans), they run
instead of walk, don’t care about learning, and pretend to drown so I’ll save
them, but I love them! There is a competition coming up that I’m preparing them
for, but I’m not sure they’ll be ready because they are so crazy! But, they
have fun.
Last Friday night we had our Valentine’s dinner as a team.
It was a lot of fun. Because it was the day before Valentine’s Day, we called
it “Valentrick” Day. It’s an inside joke that our leader started. She calls
everyone “tricks”. It’s become part of daily vocabulary. So anyway, we made
each other valentines and got all dressed up and had a nice dinner together
that our leaders made for us. See pictures below. Oh! And our leader Chelsea
got engaged!
Another “exciting” event that happened this week is that a
few of the girls brought home the cutest little kitten on Wednesday after ministry.
They named him Crank. He was literally the size of my hand. We played with it
for a few hours, but it was so sick and malnourished that it didn’t live for
very long. When we got home from morning ministry yesterday (Thursday), it had
died in our bathroom. It was so sad! Our only pet died and less than 24 hours
later!
So, now I’m here, on my day off, checking emails and posting
my blog. My next blog will be an interesting one because we have a crazy
opportunity this weekend…look forward to it! Until next time…
Sorry about your kitten 🙁
Other then that you guys look like you had a great time! Happy Valentines day!
Praying for your upcoming week,
Much love,
James
I forgot I gave you that dress! Poor little kitty….
Wow, that’s a lot of girls. All under one roof. “Nuff” said here. I hope your next house kitty will be a God send replacement for the one that was so sickly.
I’ll be in prayer for you and your swim team. Maybe, I don’t know if this would help. If you have control of their eating, no sugary stuff prior. Have a prayer, a 3-5 minute free for all play then time to focus on the swim lesson. Then afterwards, in single file, one at a time, come up to you as you tell them one thing that they did well at, a handshake and a pat on the head, as you hand them a piece of candy, but they have to remain quiet so they can hear.
I don’t know, you and the others might have things already in place that work.
Kids in a big pool of water, automatic FUN. :0)