This and That and News

First of all: 

We did it! You did it!

We reached our goal! Thanks to you!

All 100 chickens have been provided for.

Now, being that this is still Africa, those chickens are still living in their original home. If you remember, I said we were getting a deal on the transport costs because we were piggybacking on another order. Unfortunately, that other party hasn't yet fulfilled their payment obligations so the trip has been delayed. We've been assured that our chickens are happy and healthy (not really on the happy part--but they probably are, right?), and we are expecting them to reach Mansa next Thursday. I'll keep you posted.

Next, I really appreciate all your sweet comments about my last post, Lean on Me. The unkind comment that I referred to happened quite a long time ago--can you say grudge-holding?--but it has often come to mind as I walk around our home and see all the wonderful children that have come together to form a family. One day, (I didn't have my camera with me) I saw a nanny sitting on a bamboo mat outside with a child from each age group and they were all playing so lovingly together. It made me so very happy!

Also, a few months ago, I wrote about some things that were weighing on my mind. One of them, was about Queenie and how her father had remarried and we weren't sure how that was going to impact her life. Susie reminded me yesterday that I hadn't written an update about that. Actually, it all just fizzled out--as many of our worries tend to do. Queenie's father never did come visit as he had promised to do--and his phone calls have also stopped. I hadn't even realized that until I sat down to write this. I can't remember when he last phoned. It's possible that his new wife is taking all his time. They may even be starting a new family. I'm just glad that Queenie is young enough that she doesn't seem to have been affected.

Finally, Tuesday morning I woke to new drama. Oh. My. Goodness. You don't even want to know. It's in the process of being sorted out and it is just more staffing issues. But, my heart broke a bit again. I was disappointed in humankind. I didn't want to carry on. I knew the only thing I could do was pray. I grabbed Tom, we sat on our living room couch, and he prayed. Part of his prayer was this:

Lord, this is your orphanage. We are just managers. 

People, I can't even begin to tell you how much that impacted me. God is the boss. I'm just his humble worker. This doesn't mean I'm abdicating any responsibility. No manager worth their salt would just let things run their course without doing their best to make sure everything is working properly. But! The ultimate success or failure of this project is in His Hands. Oh, what a relief!

Exactly One Year Ago: African Travel Truths

Lean on Me

The other day, we gathered all the children in our living room so they could watch Toy Story 3 which was recorded on our DVR. Normally the kids sit on their little chairs and watch videos in the dining room every afternoon. But since we didn't have this movie on DVD we made an exception and all the kids piled onto our tiny rug.

Shortly after the movie began, I looked over and saw this adorable sight:

That's Queenie (5 years old) holding Moriah (almost 3) who was holding Denny (2 years old). 

It reminded me of this photo taken this summer by one of our volunteers:

Lizzie (18 months) holding Grace (4 months)

To the snooty misinformed lady who insisted that our orphanage was just an institution, I'd challenge her to look at these photos and tell me our children are not part of a family.

Exactly One Year Ago: Sundays in My City (would you believe Johnny was the star in this one too?)

Johnny's Adventure in Town, Part Two

When we left off yesterday, Johnny had won his first ever grocery-store battle and was a happy little boy.

As they left the grocery store loaded down with shopping bags, there was the regular, large group of ne’er do wells gathered outside. Young men that have nothing really to do, stand outside the grocery store selling plastic bags which are better quality than the store issued bags. Since each bag sells for only a couple pennies, and there are at least a dozen boys gathered outside, it’s a hard life. Their big hope is to be hired for a small one-time job which could earn them a dollar or two.

Because these boys have so much time on their hands, and they are nearly all abusing alcohol and drugs, small squabbles and fights are common. Most of the time, it’s nothing more than some minor pushing and shoving but it always draws a crowd and gets rowdy.

Of course, as Tom and Johnny exited the store, one such fight was going on. Johnny got very upset and began yelling, “Hey, you! Stop that right now! Fighting is not good!” Everyone in the crowd was so shocked to hear a child speaking up in such a manner, the fight stopped. Johnny left feeling good about having done something toward good and  justice in the world.

Later on, another fight broke out in a different parking lot, and even though it was taking place about 100 feet away, Johnny didn’t let that stop him, “Hey, you! Fighting is not good”!

Something else that made a big impact on him was mannequins. When he got home and told me about his day, he made sure to tell me about ‘the mannequins which are statues in the window so that people will buy clothes’. “They only have legs. Their arms are broken”.  He absorbs so much information of what you tell him.

Public toilets were also a big deal with all the new rules:  We have a septic system and need to use wastebaskets, but in public it’s OK to put tissue in the toilet bowl for instance. When Timmy helped him wash his hands, they noticed that the sink was broken and the tap couldn’t turn off, so Johnny dove under the sink and turned off the main valve.

He was also very polite to everyone they came in contact with and shouted a ‘Thank you, Mr. Policeman’ at every checkpoint when the barrier was opened.

I’d say his first venture into town was a roaring success. I can’t wait to see how some of the other kids handle it.

Johnny's Adventure in Town

So, today we had only a few hours of electricity and those hours were not all at the same time.

On top of that, I have a dreadful cold. It started yesterday and is progressing very quickly. That may be a good thing, but at the moment all I know is it hurts to breathe.

Lest this stop being Amy’s Assorted Adventures, and more Amy’s Assorted Angst I will now share another story in the Oh, Johnny series.

Today is our usual shopping day. Obviously I was in no condition to go (tiny whine there), so Timmy accompanied Tom and we decided that Johnny should go as well. As I wrote recently in a post, most of our kids have never left our tiny village and hardly even venture much out of our large property. We want to begin showing the kids a ‘whole new world’.

Johnny got up bright and early—all dressed up in the “new pants that Mommy gave me”, and an aura of excitement shimmering from him.

As soon as they began driving, his eyes were wide open and he chattered up a storm.

First, they saw an ant hill.

“What is that, Timmy?”

“That is an ant hill. Termites live in them”.

Right after this, they drove down a stretch of road where there were anthills every few feet.

For about ten minutes it was non-stop: “There’s another one! And another one! And another one!” Timmy said it was like the dog from Dr. Doolittle in the car, “Line…..line….line….line”

Then they hit pot holes! When our Landcruiser goes through potholes it sounds like the car is going to fall to pieces. Every screw and bolt shakes, rattles and rolls. 

“What was that?!?”

“That was a pothole.”

“I don’t like that noise!” 

Of course that didn’t magically make the road smooth, and every time they hit a pot hole Johnny complained, “I don’t like that sound”!

Timmy asked him to just sleep. “But, I’m not tired!”

So, Timmy did the next best thing and went to sleep himself.

Finally they reached Mansa. The potholes and termites were done for the moment but the chatter continued unabated.

**********

At one of their first stops at a hardware store, Johnny noticed trash piled up in the road.

"Why is that trash there? Why isn’t anyone cleaning it up"?

Tom explained that no one wants to do it. 

So, what does little Johnny do? He hails a passing stranger—“Can you clean up the trash?”

When the man just walked on by, Johnny turned to Tom with a completely disappointed look, “He didn’t do it”. 

“I know”, replied Tom, “he’s selfish”.

“Well, then tell the police to make the selfish people clean up the trash”.

***********

After this they went to the grocery store. Here he behaved very well, or at least like a normal kid. He helped load things into the cart—even things we didn’t need--and everything went smoothly.

To make the day more special, Tom took Johnny to the toy aisle and (perhaps foolishly) told him he could have anything he liked. Johnny looked around and almost immediately spotted….a bow and arrow!

Tom tried his best to dissuade him—what about a set of marbles? (No thank you. A bow and arrow) a new truck? (no, just a bow and arrow) a nice set of army men? (no, I’d like the bow and arrow) And so, that’s what he walked out with.

Tune in tomorrow for part two of Johnny's Adventure in Town.

You won't believe what he did next!

Exactly One Year Ago: Fab Friday Foto (aka Everything is Not as It Seems)

Also, Exactly One Year Ago: Your Questions Answered

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Joy in the Morning

I've been participating in an online, Beth Moore Bible study with Lindsey at Suburban Turmoil called Living Beyond Yourself. Last week our video session was about Joy. Boy,  did I ever need to hear that. 

After the past few months, I've been struggling to hold my head above water. It's been difficult to feel joy at all. But, I was reminded that my joy rests in Him! His Joy is in me. I'll lose sight of that from time to time when my weeping endures for a night, but Joy Cometh in the Morning.

As we set up this week for Children's Church, the kids were goofing off and being kids. Henry in particular was being particularly silly. He began doing a little dance all on his own. There wasn't even music playing. It was all in his head. 

Later when the songs really did start, the kids jumped in and danced with all their hearts. There was no self consciousness. No fear. No discomfort. 

 

It was pure joy in action. I began thinking how much better life would be if we could all just dance like no one was watching.

If just the simple pleasure of being alive was enough to make us kick up our heels and dance. 

Lindsey wrote a beautiful post about kids, based on the Bible study session I was talking about. You should check it out.

As for me, I'm going to be working on my dance moves. Figuratively and literally!

Eighty-nine chickens and counting!

Exactly One Year Ago: Holla If You Like Surprises

(Almost) Exactly Two Years Ago: I Nearly Died

Also (Almost) Exactly Two Years Ago: Beauty and the Beastie

Here I am

It has been a crazy few days. Our internet has been spotty. Our electricity goes on and off. We just got the first rain of the season--a couple weeks early. Crazy!

I've actually been quite productive, but it's been challenging working around the obstacles. Blogging just hasn't happened unless you count all the writing I've done in my head.

In the meantime, here are a couple things you might enjoy reading:

Thomas' Blog: Turtle Times

Missional Mama: 31 Days of Missionary Living--Day Four-- Bless

Oh, and our chicken project is going really well. You've helped us get 89 chickens so far! We are so close to reaching our goal of 100. Only 11 to go!!

Lastly, let me leave you with a little sweetness:

A Family Affair

Someone wrote me an email recently (Z, I haven't forgotten about replying, I promise) and asked to see more pictures of Joseph.

He is growing up so quickly and well. Someone stepped up to sponsor the special milk we need for him, and for that we are extremely grateful.

Here in the house he is quickly becoming a favorite. --I know....we shouldn't have favorites....oh, well.--

Even Tom has this cute look on his face when he looks at Joseph. Then he sees that I'm looking at him and he pretends to be gruff again. Silly man.

Taking care of the babies in our home takes all of us pitching in and doing our part even while doing our other duties.

Tom has held him on (a rare) ocassion while catching up on TV shows.

Timmy and Jasmine will both help out with holding Joe while doing their computer school or surfing the web.

And, have you ever noticed that a baby takes its best naps while snuggled on the chest of a sleeping grownup?

Joseph can't help but feel loved with all the people taking turns to cuddle and hold him.

Oh, and by the way! He rolled over today! At 7 weeks old! Isn't he just the best and most developed baby ever?? Yes, I am completely in love with him. Why do you ask?

Update: After Thursdays blog post about the opportunity to help us get chickens for the orphanage, you have donated enough to purchase 69 chickens! Only 31 to go! There is still time to donate. Be a part of a wonderful effort.

Thank you to all those who have given so far. You all rock!!

Exactly One Year Ago: Monkey Business