We arrived in Pemba, at the smallest airport I have ever seen! After an hour or so going through customs and collecting luggage, we were met by several hugs and smiles from IRIS staff and some children along to help. We tossed our bags into one large truck, and all piled into another... after about 30 minutes of trying to start the trucks-we were rescued by another truck and went to the center in groups. Unpacked, bought water, toilet paper, took a shower and went to sleep to the sounds of a worship party right outside my window.
May 30, 2010
Went up for breakfast; bread roll and hot tea...then headed to church. Oh the beautiful sounds of worship and dancing. Almost instantly my hands were full of the hands of children, ready to swing around and worship Jesus. When the message began, I found my seat among the women (widows/mamas). I could not tell if they desired my company or resented it. Yet, as soon as I smiled, they would meet me with the most precious smiles; ear to ear!
...After church and lunch of rice and beans, my roommate (Ariell) and I headed to the beach. Passing human poop and piles of rubbish we found ourselves on fine white sand and gently rolling waves. ...We were quickly met by 20, then 50, then 100 children. It was unreal! They were beautiful! ...We finally found a boy who spoke portuguese and with our broken spanish and a little portuguese, we began to learn their names and ages. As they taught us words in Makua (their heart language), we taught them how to spray each other with water. We played games, had races and just laughed for hours. ...
As we returned I had told two boys that I would watch the soccer game with them; Ben and Luis. Ben was having dinner with Mama Aida that night, so Luis and I chatted as he told me about his journey to IRIS. Luis had lived with his siblings and parents in Beira, yet his father died and mother could not support them. His mother was a friend of Mama Aida's, and what else would a friend do; but offer her a job. They moved to Maputo then Pemba and his mother worked in the kitchen at IRIS. (She later became one of my good friends at IRIS, Mama Lordis.)
June 1,2010
Children's Day Celebration
*blow up balloons
*fill up bags of sweets
*feed thousands of children
*wash dishes and sing songs
*do it all with joy and love for the one in front of me...
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