Saturday 4-19-14

4-19-2014 Saturday

                Today was a little less eventful. It started unfortunately, very early. Jove woke up at around 2 am vomiting. He did not call for me or anything, I just heard a noise and got up to investigate and found him in the pitch black bathroom. He refused to eat dinner the night before saying the pumpkin rice soup was yucky so it was just a water vomit, but still. That lasted until around lunch time. We let him know that because he was sick in the morning he would be unable to go to school because we did not want the other kids getting sick also. This, he was not happy about in the least. He wanted to play with his new best friends, Joan (pronounced Joanna) in particular. So whilst Mamaliz, Asa, and Ayla went to school, Jove and I hung at the house. After a half an hour of explaining to him the reasons again and again as to why he could not go, and letting him know I do not appreciate it when he tells me he does not like me or he wants me to vomit, he calms down and we snuggle on the couch and watch Wreck it Ralph on my computer. I fell asleep so quickly that he got bored and began to color.

                Prior to them leaving for school however, we did get in a very nice walk around the village. We went farther away from the area we are staying, by the school, hospital, and church. It became dirtier and the children a little more bedraggled. Even with the added dirt and holes in the clothing, they were just as adorable and sweet. Mamaliz would ask if they wanted a picture, meaning, “would you like me to take your picture and I will show you on the camera”. She actually prints up copies of the pictures often and gives them to the adults that are photographed, and because of this there is a reputation and many come out to get their picture taken. There were plenty however, that when asked, would run away as if the camera was going to attack them.

                We began organizing the toys and the shoes donated by Cambridge Academy Queen Creek families. We were very lucky to have so much to bring to these kids that have so little. I am very much looking forward to seeing their faces when we give them the shoes. I have already seen them with the toys and they were so happy. We separated  the toys and kept some here at the house for when school is not going, and others went to the school to help with learning. They are just the sweetest most innocent kids. I would have never figured so, living in what I would have believed to be such harsh conditions. I was wrong. Yes, life here is hard, but it is just a different kind of life. I am just so lucky to be a part of it, even if for a short period of time.

                The day was ended with our dinner guest, Dr. Sion (Shawn), whom Ayla and Jove have named Dr. Heart Star, coming over for dinner. We made lentil mung bean soup with a beet, cucumber and onion salad. Dr. Sion even made homemade naan to add to the meal. After dinner the kids taught him how to play Mancala and Jove was so excited that he not only beat Dad but he beat Dr. Heart Star also. So, it may have been a little less eventful, but no less wonderful. I am truly thankful to be here.

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