Day 6

We went back into the community of Sweetwaters early this morning to do a program with some of the children at Tabitha's community center. We got there around 8:30 and there were already children lined up everywhere. It is strange to see so many children just walking around unattended. It is unlike anything I have ever seen...there are literally children everywhere...lining the busy streets coming into the community, children carrying children, children even sitting around outside the local "pub"...all unattended and many very,very small. A sweet 18 year old girl named Pucks went with us this morning to tell the children a bible story...

She is a beautiful girl with a sweet spirit and has been volunteering with Tabitha for a couple of months now. She was so very good with the children. After she finished, all the children formed a line and we handed out sandwiches (over 20 loaves of PB&J to be exact), cookies and a sweetie (piece of candy). News of food spreads fast and as our sandwiches started to run out and the line kept going, we had to tear them into 1/4's but thanks be to Jesus we had something to give to every child. There were around 200 children there this morning and we were the only adults anywhere in sight except for these 3 sweet gogo's (Zulu for grandmother)...

They are remarkable women...they all have children and grandchildren living in their homes and also help look after the children of the community. They also are hospice caretakers and have volunteered with Zanela and Tabitha ministry for many years. They are lovely amazing women. After the children were fed, we painted their faces with a paint crayon...literally for almost 2 hours...the majority of these children have absolutely nothing and are appreciative for anything. At one point the tip of my crayon broke and landed in the dirt. I told the child that picked it up that he could keep it and you would have thought I had given some extravagant gift. It is beyond heartbreaking. Today was our last day to go into the community and I won't allow myself to think that I might never go back there.

I have so many pictures of the children that I couldn't pick which ones to share. I created a video slide but I cannot get it to upload...so frustrating but hopefully tomorrow I can get it to work...I'm too tired to try anymore. Here is a picture of the group as a whole...it doesn't capture their spirit but it'll have to work for now...the majority of these precious kids are children from child-headed households...babies looking after babies...

We finished at the community center around lunch time and headed back to the orphanage.

Brent and Courtney had previously asked permission for us to take the kids on an outing. We took the 4 year olds first. We loaded them in the back of the truck (apparently legal here) and took them to McDonald's for ice cream. The kids rarely get to go on outings...maybe once every 3 months. They have been so excited waiting for it! Once they got their cones we quickly saw they must have never gotten these before. We laughed and laughed and laughed. Notice in the picture of Mandla below...he chomped off the entire end of his ice cream first. Everyone of them had ice cream everywhere! It was really kind of eye opening to see them out of their natural environment. Considering their backgrounds there is much

comfort and security in the routine of their everyday. Several of the little ones were scared to go into the restroom when they heard the dryers that you use after washing your hands. They need extra reassurance that everything is okay and that you are with them. Even going out of the playground, it was new and they were unsure what to do. Once we encouraged them that it was safe and fun and showed them exactly how to climb up to the slide and come down they enjoyed it. But after just a few times they were ready to go. I didn't really realize the emotional drain that just encountering something new would take. It was such a sweet time with these little ones. On the way back we turned up the music and they loved it...we made sure everyone stayed on their bums though. :) Spending this time with them once again reminded me of just how much ingratitude is in my own life and how something as simple as a trip for ice cream to a child like this is a rarity.

As soon as we dropped the 4 year olds off we picked up the 5 to 8 year olds and took them bowling...imagine taking 13 children bowling! They have been so excited all week and anytime one of them would slip and say something about it another would correct them and say "shhh, we mustn't let the toddlers know." Check out Jason and Brent in the Toyota Venture...

We have gotten more laughs out of that vehicle. Jason said at one point he almost stuck his feet out the door and attempted to drive it like the Flintstones. This vehicle is known in the community for offering help and assistance. We crammed all 18 people into two vehicles and off we went...Tabitha only has these two vehicles and it is amazing to see how many people they can manage to fit into them. The big kids did so well and were so excited about bowling.

Jason teaching Lulu to bowl.

Me and Zethembe. He is 8 years old and the oldest child here. He is very smart and definitely takes on a leadership role with the other children. It is very sweet how they all watch out for one another.

Sihle (pronounced Sea-clay) and Nqobile

Nqobile kept breaking out his dance moves. This little guy makes me laugh constantly. He loves to dance and says he'll be a male model when he grows up. He is full of life and extremely outgoing.

We finally whipped everyone out...including ourselves and headed back home. We all had so much fun. It was definitely the longest and most exhausting day here so far, but worth every single second of it.

Tonight is Brent and Courtney's last night here so we ended the day with dinner out. It has been such a blessing being here with them...such a great day...going to bed extremely grateful tonight.