Got Skillz?

We packed up the remaining suitcases of donations and headed to Chayah’s home about 8:30am.  When we arrived we spent a few minutes greeting and setting up stations for the various skill centers on the schedule for today.

 

The group was divided into 4 and devotions began.  Once the last group finished we put name tags with group numbers on everyone and three at a time, they headed out to their areas.  Sanding & hammering were taught at the building area, baking in the kitchen, introduction to computers in the dining room, crafts in the sitting room, drama in the front yard, art in the “garage” and free time with Uncle Evan.  Forty five minutes later we rotated and then again after another 3/4 of an hour.  Several things made me pause and smile...the first group in the kitchen was the three littlest girls with Kristen.  At their age they have yet to have a chance to help with any cooking and their faces looked like they were getting away with something huge!  The computer area with Taelor, was filled with intrigue, smiles and VERY FAST learning.   When three GIRLS got to start sand with an electric sander and nail into boards...whoa...that never happens.  The art department was all concentration, as they got their lesson and practice with Andrew, and Joey had them moving “stage right, stage left” and a bunch more.  Crafts with Karen and Morgan included balloons with glue and tissue paper.  If the rain doesn’t get to them, they may just be lanterns to decorate the house.  All the while, our faithful plumber moved from one plumbing or fixture problem to the next. 

 

Lunch was served on the lawn, followed by some music practice.  The builders and the plumber made a list of a few things they would need for tomorrow and headed to town.  Janet headed to Kakira with some clothing to take to a couple of families and the littlest ones headed into their rooms for a nap.  Their sleep was slow in coming as the rest of us gathered in the “garage” for some talking and a fun dance party.  Once the drums began for the dancing, we could see faces peering out the window of the nap taking room.  We showed them our moves, but mostly they showed us theirs. 

 

We packaged up some clothes for the twins and their siblings who were at church yesterday and headed that direction.  Our good long walk was serenaded by the children in the homes we passed sing-songing “Muzungus, Muzungus”.  We visited for a while and prayed for the family, then continued on to see the bridge where several children have drowned trying to fetch water in their Jeri cans during the rainy season.  With the stream moving swiftly and the tree trunk bridge slippery, they fall in and are quickly carried down and out into the Nile.  Gathering water in the pollution infested stream is part of survival.  Many, many people would have no water at all without this method, because to fill from a well or tap would cost precious shillings that are better spent on food.  Tragedy strikes before anyone knows what has happened.

 

We headed back to the house about 4:30, said our goodbyes, bought 4 more cases of water for the week and will end our day with dinner and sharing the day’s experiences together.  With less than a week left, the days are beginning to be filled with mixed emotions.  Try as we may to stave off the inevitable good-byes, I can feel it coming and that familiar sense of separation I hate so much.

 

Pushing aside our awareness of each passing day, we are challenged to stay in the moment and hang on until the last minute of the last day.  God willing these next few will be filled with a mountain of sweet experiences.