Yesterday had so many different aspects to it, some that have been in the works for a long time, some that have been on my heart for a long time to write about, and some I just got to witness. That combination is making this post difficult to put my thoughts in to words.
I guess I will just start from the beginning. It started like any other day, with our morning walk. Janelle, Donna, and I have started walking every morning, which I LOVE!!! It's a great way to get out into the community, talk about our days, think, and of course work off the posho belly!
As we were about to leave, we learned that there was no school because of the Muslim holiday celebrating when Abraham attempted to sacrifice Ishmael. Although we do not celebrate the holiday, we had to give the day off as part of the district. So that just meant extra hang out time with the kids. In the morning, Donna and I worked on sorting letters that we were going to hand out at the evening assembly to say goodbye to Cindy. I've been talking with Donna over and over about sponsorship, and even coming, I knew that I would want to sponsor a child, so I had started working out ways for it to happen. Well, since I've been here, I see the importance of child sponsorship, and I also learned that you can be a partial sponsor if you can't afford the whole thing! Perfect for me, because I wasn't sure if I could do $100, but I know for a fact, if I manage my money well, that I can afford $30. It just means shopping at WINCO and having the week planned out, rather than my spontaneous "I want this" runs to Albertsons. I was also able to cancel a few luxuries to be able to pay this. If I can do it, anyone can! Anyways, all that to say, that I officially made the decision to sponsor Elija. Elija is the boy that I have connected with the most since I have been here. Not only does he share a name with my beautiful nephew, but he reminds me of the boys in my youth group. A kid with heart, full of spunk, a strong leader, and fills my heart with joy and laughter! You'll notice that you've heard his name a bunch, and seen his picture almost any time I post a group picture! He's also a regular outside my hut, "Carly, Carly, are you home?!" Yes, he is also one of the 2 people here who know my name!
Anyways, I am so excited to sponsor him! I'm going to start small with what I know I can afford, and hopefully someday I will be able to be a full sponsor. Keep reading, and I will talk more about the joys of sponsorship when I talk about the letters.
When Donna and I were done sorting letters, and had sent the email to start the process of sponsoring Elija, the boys came in to her hut wanting to play the ipad. We recently passed a new policy to not let kids play with the ipads or other electronics. So when we told them that they couldn't play, we expected them to go out and find a ball, or something, but they just sat in there with us. Then the group kept growing! They started telling stories, and Elija would translate for the other boys, because all of their stories were in Acholi. It was so much fun to hear them get excited about telling stories, laughing, and like any child, trying to talk over each other to correct the story or to give the punchline. To be honest, I have no clue what any of the stories were about, but I still enjoyed the excitement they had in sharing them!
As the stories ended, we decided to play a pick up game of multiplication BINGO. A few more kids came in to join us for that. It was fun to play with them. I teamed up with Cosmos (who I have shared about a lot at HPC, and preached about the week before I came!)
I forgot to mention, one of the things that led to this fun hang out time was the words "I'm bored." I don't know why, but I took such joy in those words. I guess its because these kids are so busy with chores, and school, and working for the village, that when they don't have that to do, they are bored! I love that these kids love school! They love making beads! They love working and playing! And when you take that away, just like any other kid, they get bored! So Saturday, I am going to open up the Library so that we can read together, rather than be bored.
Later in the day, Elija was still bored, so he came in, hung out with me, and we played "Go Fish" and "War" with cards. It was nice to hang out with just him for a little while, since we are always in a big group. I haven't' told him that I'm going to sponsor him yet, I'm waiting for the paperwork to go through, but I can't wait to tell him, since we have already connected.
After hanging out with Elija, we went and watched the P5 vs P6 futball game. I love the futball games because everyone comes out and just hangs out together.
After the game, the students met with Cindy for her goodbye talk and challenge. It was such a blessing to listen to. The encouragement she gives these kids, and the way she loves them is incredible! The same goes for Rose. I was encouraged by her talk, and took some good pointers to use in my own life and ministry.
After Cindy's talk, we handed out the letters that HPC wrote the kids. What an incredible moment!
Cindy came with letters that people have sent to their sponsored kids, but always dreads that some kids don't get their names called or don't have sponsors. Some kids, like staff kids, don't realize the difference between the sponsored kids and themselves, and are sad when they don't get a letter. As Cindy and Donna were trying to figure out what to do, how to hand them out without feelings getting hurt, they remembered that I had brought letters with me. My church (especially the children) had written a letter for every single child in the village. Every kid, sponsored or not sponsored, had a letter with their name on it. Then, for the staff kids, we had some general letters that we were able to put their names on since it was so few. So after the meeting, we began to hand out letters. Some kids started to leave because they don't ever get letters, but sure enough, EVERY NAME WAS CALLED! We didn't forget a single one! Even the nursery school kids had letters, which was awesome since the last child waiting was a nursery school child, who I looked at and said, "Brenda, I know I saw your name on one of these" and the joy in her face as we looked through it and handed it to her was priceless. We didn't have to get a general one and write her name in front of her. Nope, it was already written.
All that to say, what we thought was just something cool we were doing, ended up being a HUGE event for these kids! Some who never get letters got long, thoughtful letters! Some got pictures! All got their name! It was a beautiful moment!
This morning when I went into the office, there was already a pile of letters to take home with me. Kids are writing back! One simple letter makes a huge difference! These kids know that they are loved and being prayed for! It's huge!
So, if you have $30, $50, $75, or $100 that you don't know what do do with. If you want to give a different kind of Christmas gift this year. If you want to start a family partnership. Think about sponsoring a child!
If you only have a $10 one time donation, think about donating to the Village of Hope! Every little bit helps! And next year, they are opening a secondary and trade school, so that these kids can continue with the hope given to them!
If you have no money, but want to write a letter, send one to the Village of Hope! Every letter counts! Every kid matters! And I can't even begin to tell you what it means to them to get a letter or to find out that they have a sponsor! It really is an incredible thing!
And now, just as I do with every post, I want to leave you with a few pictures! (PS Elija just walked in as I was finishing up! He and Wisdom tried to teach me a new card game. We'll try again tomorrow!)
The last time to play with the ipad. Elija held it and made sure everyone got a turn. It was such a sweet moment, he was acting like the big, loving brother to everyone.
The view from our walk. From far away this building says "Welcome to Hope"
Preparing to hand out cards and letters. What a gift!
Me and Elija on the day I started sponsoring him
Sweet Miss Daisy!
Cindy and Rose talking to the children
The kids getting their letters. Look at Elija's face! Such joy as he receives his letter (Thank you Jake J. for the awesome picture!!!)
I wish I could have gotten more or better pictures of the kids with their letters, but it was getting dark so I couldn't get very good pictures. But I did get great memories, and stories!
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