Tuesday Mornings...Zulu Preschoolers

Just beyond these hills...

Down this dirt road...

Tucked into "the bush" around this bend...

Just past this house...

And this one...

Lies a church...

That doubles as a preschool during the week...

They are adorable, aren't they?

Most of their moms are still in high school and unwed.  The school is open five days a week while the moms are in school.  

Buhle makes me laugh.  She is one smart girl, charming and oh-so-busy for a nine month old.  She finally decided I was worthy of a smile yesterday.

Until I wouldn't give her Apelele's yogurt. Then she gave me this look...

Here's a little look around the preschool.

The toilets...

The "play ground..."

There are two swings hidden beyond the trees.  But you couldn't pay me to put Anniston in them as there are also things called Black Mambas, Green Mambas and Boomslangs that live in these parts.  I would love to see the grass cleared and a playground set there one day.

The cribs...

The kitchen...

The teachers cook twice a week and the kids bring their lunches the other days of the week.  Lunch can be rice or beans when the teachers cook.  On other days, lunch may be an orange or a bag of chips or some yogurt.  One of those per child, depending on what the family can afford to send.  The kids are fed porridge every morning for breakfast.

Speaking of teachers, here is one of them, beautiful Anna.  She is helping me learn some Zulu relevant to the kids such as, "I need to go potty," "I'm hungry" and, it must be universal, "He took my toy."

 Their toys are well-loved (okay, tattered, in some cases).

In fact, there is a team from McKinney coming next month if you would like to share some gently used toys that don't have a zillion pieces and that are large enough that little ones can't choke on them.  Three little babies make their way around the concrete floor among the older kids.

Specifically, would your kids like to share gently loved blocks (mega blocks or wooden), Little People type toys, plastic kitchenware, wood puzzles appropriate for 3-5 year olds...anything that would challenge these little minds as they grow?

This little boy might like a small truck, too (no small parts, please, like wheels on Matchbox cars).

He was pushing around the trailer bed of a truck whose cab was missing.  And he was completely happy.  But I kinda think it would be fun to see him with a whole truck.  :)

If you are able to donate (please don't feel like you need to buy) toys that your kids have outgrown, these kids will take your toys from gently loved to well loved in no time.  :)  There are up to 24 of them, after all!

If you don't have toys but would still like to help, the team will be buying a rainwater barrel so the teachers no longer have to lug water from a faraway tap for cooking and for the kids to wash their hands.  The cost is about $350 and will provide clean water for a long, long time.

They will also purchase a new gas cooktop to make cooking easier and plaster and paint to seal the walls as winter is quickly approaching.

If you're moved to help, I bet these kids would give you another thumbs up...

And maybe Buhle will even share one of her smiles with you...

(They are SO worth it!)

Mondays at Murchison

I mentioned I'd share a bit on each ministry we are involved in, so here is the incredible

Murchison Community Centre!

When we came on a mission trip with a team from NC last April, we fell in love with the kiddos at this place.  On any given weekday, over 70 kids, ages toddler and up, come to be loved on and be fed physically, emotionally and spiritually.  There is a feeding scheme, a music academy (you should HEAR the awesomeness that is a room packed with kids strumming guitars and singing with voices all Africans seem to be blessed with), gym, reading room, playground and even a basketball court because God is intentional like that.

What I mean is, Brian gets to coach basketball...

And Noah gets to be coached by his Daddy...

All those basketballs were paid for with support our financial partners provide (a HUGE thank you!!)...

God makes kids like Noah; competitive kids who like to play sports.  Kids that Noah would connect with...

Because God is good like that.

God also makes kids like Tyler; those who would rather run around and use their imagination.

I think, every time I looked at Tyler those first 30 minutes, he was being chased...

Seriously...

He didn't seem to mind...

Yes, God made some Tyler-types for him to enjoy...

Okay, so there is always at least one of "those kids"...or five...in every bunch...mine are usually three of them...

Because God has a sense of humor like that.

All the while, our Annie Girl napped in the car, windows rolled down, snoozing to the sound of laughter and of singing and of basketballs being dribbled and of Tyler being chased (he's loud).

I got to play with these kids.  We sang songs and danced and hugged and then there was some playing of this international crowd pleaser...

Yep, Duck, Duck, Goose.  With sweet little African accents and lots and lots of laughter.

And then there were mouths to feed...

And then there were dishes to clean and dry and then it was over. A very busy, fast time.

A very full time with very special children.

Okay, all children are special.

But these are extra special.

And we get to do this every week.

Because God is awesome like that.