The Hammer

One of the many nicknames I've been given on this trip is The Hammer (my Aunt Barb would be proud)-mainly because yesterday I was keeping our group in line and on schedule because I didn't want to be late for the festivities.  The festivities being the dedication of the Kaaga Primary School.  We have been here, there and everywhere this week seeing and doing so many different meaningful things, but the Kaaga School was the place that made me so excited everytime I thought about going back. 

We spent time each day this week at Kaaga- sanding and painting new doors for the latrines, pouring concrete, fixing a roof, painting murals and getting to know these kids.  I don't have children of my own, but now think of these kids as mine.  They are in my mind, heart and blood.

Yesterday at 3pm we sat down in a field behind their school under beautiful trees and had a dedication ceremony...and a full on cry for me.  It started with the choir singing which three of the kids I have become attached to, Brian, Doris and Joyce,were members of (which I didn't know).  They sang beautiful songs and danced like kids should.  And at one point I got to join them (Brian came over and pulled me from my seat).  And during one song they sang directly to me- as in my name was in the song.  I kept looking to the sky and wondering how in the world I was lucky enough to be sitting where I was sitting and getting to experience what I was experiencing.

I wear a bracelet that says, "Be the change you wish to see in the world."  As I was sitting in the field after the ceremony with about 10 of the kids, one asked me what my bracelet said.  I told them and then tried to explain it in a way a 10 year old would understand.  I just said that if you see something that is wrong, you shouldn't wait for someone else to fix it, you should try to help. One of them looked at me and said, "Like you are?"  I was speechless...and it hit me that although these kids are young, they understand that we have come along way to see them and help them live their best lives.

I can breath Africa.
Shannon for Seeds of Grace