Riding the wave of Africa

It's been a couple of days since I've had a chance to update. A day without electricity, a day without internet and a couple a day with no water. We're definitely in Africa now. It's been a challenge at times but I just keep asking for more patience and it just keeps coming. I'm able to smile and just "ride the wave of Africa" as Jake says. Everything gets done in the end, even if it takes longer than planned.

Yesterday we had our second day of art camp. It was less chaotic than the day before, we definitely streamlined our setting up and rotation of stations. The kids loved the playdough again and I'm quite certain we had several kids in art camp again, even though it was supposed to be a different group.

After art camp we had our sponsored kids party. There was a huge amount of food for them, as well as Fanta's and cake. The kids had a great time. I was amazed at the amount of food those kids can put away. They had huge plates and even the little ones ate a lot. I'm sure for some of them it is their only meal for the day so they wanted to get in what they could. They were so sweet and at the end there were lots of hugs to go around for everyone. I had to give Edna her final big hug and remind her how special she is to me. Some of the kids followed the van out along the road wavin and yelling for us. They are such sweet kids, I definitely won't forget them.

Today we did home visits of our Kigali kids. I got to spend the day with Ntwari Claude. I went to his house and was able to meet his mom and his little brother. They have a very small house and I know they have a lot of needs. I had the chance to tell them how special they were and how I am always praying for them. Claude said the wants to be a teacher, which of course warmed my heart. We all went to a restaurant called Karibu for lunch. For most of the sponsored kids it was their first restaurant experience. They ate a lot of good food and drank some Fanta. After lunch it was off to the party for more huge plates of food, Fanta, drumming, dancing, and more cake. I'm sure there will be some upset tummies tonight, but the kids had a great day! I think it is so wonderful that we get to meet our kids and really know them instead of just sending money to a kid in a picture. I hope that someday we will be able to meet again.

It's Friday night and I'm exhausted. We leave early tomorrow morning for a refugee camp out near Tanzania. It will be a long day. We are able to take a truckload of food to them, which will really help them out. I have heard that many of them are near death from starvation. Any prayers you can send their way will be appreciated. I know it will be a long, hard day. It's hard to see so much need and feel like there is so little I can do. I am thankful just for the opportunity to have my eyes opened and have the chance to love these people and share that God loves them too.