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It was a splendid drive through the countryside first thing this morning! We spent a few hours doing crafts, reading stories and playing with the 31 young children at Arise and Shine. After retiring from her position as a school teacher years ago, Beatrice (the head mistress) noticed that children in her community were not attending any ECD programs to prepare them for school, so she started a program in her home for less fortunate children.
Many of these young children do not have parents but are cared for by a guardian or family member.
Thanks to donations from Voice of Hope, the school has expanded to four classes, a kitchen/dining hall, a sturdy playground, clean latrines and wash houses, a fresh water well, stipends for teachers and up-to-date curriculum. It was so fascinating to watch them run their hands all over the van because they have never had that experience or opportunity!
The widow visits today were so impactful once again. It's such a privilege to be able to walk alongside these ladies and hear their stories. They are so relatable; the financial struggles, teenage pregnancies, trying to pivot to a new source of income because there is too much supply for the demand with the excess of vegetables grown, feeling alone in caring for a special needs child, pulling back from other women/relationships or Bible studies etc. We listen to them, we shed tears with them, we encourage them with Scripture and prayer, we listen more and give thanks with them.
We loved seeing the joy of 6 year old special needs Yolanda whose mom Berin was gifted with a stroller from a generous donor in Chwk this afternoon.
We walked the local outdoor market before heading to Lillian's house to learn how to cook green grams and chapatis. We experienced a torrential downpour, a lightning strike and deafening thunder clap during dinner prep which we will likely all remember! What a delight to share food with 17 people in a 12x12 room after singing a bunch of Sunday school songs together. God is so good to us all. What a day!
