Freestyle Friday

Day 11

Today was Freestyle Friday. Freestyle Friday includes rapping as we walk to and from the Havens. Unfortunately, none of us are good are good at rapping so it was about as successful as all the other days. This morning was by far the coldest day. I wore a long sleeve shirt and my jacket as we walked to the Havens this morning. Its finally starting to cool down here, which is kinda nice. Less bugs, less sweating, but it does make taking a shower quite cold!

Today the toddlers did a little better in therapy. We had more words said, and more imitated motions as we sang and danced. Working with the smaller babies today was also fun. I worked with Miller again today and another baby named Megan. Megan is a very big baby, and she likes to “beach” herself on our laps. “Beaching is a term I use to describe her as she crawls up into a person’s lap and then turns over so she can lay on flat on her back or stomach in a beached position (like a whale or seal) This is humorous because she really is a noticeably bigger baby and she is lazy. She is old enough to walk and stand on her own but she doesn’t, so today we worked on standing and walking. I walked her around the room as her little fingers held tightly to my fingers, and when she would start to whine and want to sit, I would pull a little harder and keep walking her. She was pretty entertaining today. Miller continues to make more and more sounds which is great. I’m glad he is catching on.

For lunch we had really good chicken and rice. After lunch I went to take a 30 min nap, then woke up 15 mins into my nap thinking that I was going to be later for therapy! In my mind I was so upset with my class mates for leaving me behind and not waking me up in time. As I got out the door, I slowly remembered the correct time for therapy to start. Disappointed, I went to the front porch and waited for the correct time to leave.

For the first time today in Haven 3 I worked with Mary. Mary only has one expression on her face at all times. It is a very serious look that never changes, and she never says anything. Today it was my turn to work with her. I had no luck. We did color together on my note pad, as I made sounds and talked to her. I tried to feed her, her snack but she wouldn’t eat it until I wasn’t looking. Many of the clinicians are starting to think that she is just really stubborn. But at the end of our time there, I saw her walk to the window so she could watch me leave. She is so frustrating! I hope someone gets her to talk or show any expression.

Dinner was great tonight; we had chicken and beef pie, along with potato salad and carrots. It was all very good. After dinner the group went to play soccer but found out that our soccer ball has a hole in it and it is too flat to use, luckily I brought a Frisbee, so the group played ultimate Frisbee on the soccer field. On the way back we ran into Jonathan, who is a student here. He talked to us about what he does and his family and what he wants to do with his life. After he graduates from bible school he wants to go preach out in the untouched places of Africa. He asked us to keep him in our prayers. It was hard to understand him at times, but I appreciated his openness and wiliness to talk with us.

Later in the evening I found that there are bats in the tree behind my room. It was neat to follow them with my light and see their eyes glow in the dark. God is the master creator, God is good.

Thank you

Ben