Memory Monday

Day 35

This morning started with a very cold fresh shave, and a very warm bowl of oatmeal called Jungle Oates. After breakfast I left early to grab the kids from Eric’s house for therapy. I picked up Peter and he didn’t cry at all the entire walk over and he didn’t cry during therapy! Today was the first day of therapy in a while after taking a break in Livingstone. It was nice to be back into the swing of things working, loving, and spending time with kids. Unfortunately, many of us were very fatigued from the weekend and Monday morning was lethargic, and the children seemed to be feeling the same.

This morning during language class I spent my time with Peter. He did much better than last week. He didn’t cry and he participated little bit more. All the kids seemed tired, but at least none of the cried and threw a fit like many previous mornings. After our morning language session we headed over to Haven  1. Almost all of our group was asleep when we arrived, but eventually they slowly started waking up and we added them to our number.

Today I worked with Quintin and Gilamo. Gilamo was the first baby I held here in Africa, and I hadn’t interacted with him much since then, so it was nice to work with him. Both of the boys were very good during therapy as they both sat in my lap and listened to our songs and books.

For lunch today we had delicious pizza. Our pizza today had olives in it. (both kinds) I sat near Dr. Tullos and he informed me that olives are the perfect food in his opinion. I personally don’t like olives that much, but I didn’t notice their flavor when I was eating the pizza.

After lunch I headed back early to the Havens to work with the children a little extra. I worked with Caleb in Haven 1. He is the child I have mentioned earlier with the large casts on his legs. He is enjoyable to work with when I’m not doing therapy. He just sat there with me as he played with a stuffed frog. Eventually it was time for therapy and so I headed over the Eric’s house to get Jonathan. He is well again. Last Tuesday he was sick and out of it, but today he was very lively and out of control. We read part of Green Eggs and Ham, and we practiced up and down, and in and out. At we also worked a little bit on turn taking and following verbal commands. Jonathan was a handful today but I was successful in keeping him in position.

Once therapy time was over for Jonathan I walked him back to Eric’s house and then I went back to Haven 3 to work for the last 45 minutes. Sydney, who I usually work with was taken, so I worked with Rachel, who is an older child in Haven 3. She was very fun today. I had her trapped between my legs and a table so she couldn’t get away and had to participate in what I told her to do. I would tell her to sit and stand in Tonga and she would follow my directions, which was very entertaining, because Rachel is usually a very bossy, disobedient child, but today we worked very well together.

After therapy we hurried to the soccer field, only to find out that they were not playing today. Dinner was great, and after dinner we had the GA Olympics. The Ga Olympics consisted of many ridiculous tasks that we had to do in order to gain points and win the Olympics. We also all had to choose countries that we wanted to represent. Me, being my stubborn self, decided to pick North Korea. By the end of the night after many laughs, and ridiculous happenings, I placed 3^rd in the GA Olympics along with Anna who placed 2^nd and Liz placed in 1^st

When we were finished with the GA Olympics I watched the stars for a while untill we were all informed that the little sick boy Andrew had died. We were all very sad, and there was a lot of emotional eating. Tomorrow there will be a funeral and then we will be leaving the kids for the last time. Very sad.

Our group is struggling with the death of Andrew on top of the stress of leaving Africa and the children. Please pray for the group that we will cope well and support one another. Please also pray for the Aunties and workers at the Haven. When they lose a child they take it very seriously, and it is like losing their own child. Thank you for all your prayers and support.

Ben