Tessa - December 13th

This afternoon Tannen, Megan, Sarah and I headed to Murundu. The driver was a risk taker; even the Zambians were fussing at the driver. One Zambian man thanked God for surviving when we made it to Murundu. Many children ran to meet us down the road from Enfys school to escort us. While Tannen and Megan met with Hilda and Joseph about financial issues I taught a bulk of the children "The Itsy Bitsy Spider," "Here’s the church here is the steeple, open it up to see all the people" and the hand trick where you have middle fingers wiggling on either side of your palms. The last interactive activity proved to be a bit more difficult than the other 2. Next, I lined up the kids outside so we could pass out yo-yo balloons. It went well at first because we selected 1 child at a time to go inside, get a balloon from Sarah and sit down. However, when the room filled up and there were still children coming from the village we needed to move them out for space. Tranquility ended and chaos began. The children began trying to get the air out of the balloons, the children in line outside started pushing and fighting, it became very loud and they ignored directions. I wished very badly in that moment to know more Bemba. Help was asked of Joseph so we could gain some order. The children who already had balloons would not get away from the school door and some tried to get another balloon. Even after Joseph told them to go under the shelter, they returned. As I watched the kids, I became saddened at the meanness and fight for survival that arose. In a childlike way it became a bit barbaric. Some balloons destroyed within minutes. I wanted to communicate love, boundaries and service but I found it very difficult with the amount of children and language barrier.

It was a mutual decision eventually to shut the door after all the balloons were handed out. Sarah went to play soccer with some older boys from the Earn It Program. A few kids stayed around and I went outside to read them a children’s “Dear God” book. I also had my small dry erase board to help teach them new English words. I started with about 8 kids sitting with me which grew to approximately 30. It was fun and they were a captive audience... smothering in fact. :) Rebecca (one of the school teachers) arrived halfway through the story and helped interpret which was helpful for the kids I’m sure.

The dichotomy of the 2 experiences was difficult, yet a rewarding experience. I feel it was a good reminder of the Lord’s love for us despite our selfishness and flesh outbursts. Often times when God gives us what we want we lose sight of what is most important and develop an attitude of deserving what is given and destruction can occur. However, when we openly accept what we need from the Father there is often more peace and good ultimately is the result.