Nothern Africa - Part 2

The first day took a lot of explanation. I will attempt to tell the rest without as much detail. If my mom is reading this, she's probably scoffing at the possibility. This is for you, Mom...

Every morning was spent at a preschool for underpriviledged kids. There are 100 preschoolers (who were on break at the time) in a facility that consists of two small classrooms, an office, two "squatty-potty" bathrooms, and another room that looks like it's for those who aren't feeling well. They also have a small yard which was trashy and uninteresting. We called our main mission there "Landscaper's Challenge" (again, reality TV makes its mark on our lives). We were to build them a playground...and we did. A wall that framed half of the yard was made into a mural of shapes, fish, hands, and other colorful things. Gravel and sand was brought in as well as two sets of swings, a rope swing in a tree, and a slide. The inside walls were adorned with painted sheep and a shepherd who bore a striking resemblance to Aladdin. On the walls in front were painted circus scenes with Mickey and Donald on either side of the entrance. It was a fun project. We were joined by various older children as the week went on. Though there was a language barrier, we enjoyed spending time with and loving them in the short time we had there.

We had a group of our teachers that met with English and preschool teachers to share ideas and give helpful information. I was not a part of this group, but feel it is worth a mention because they made connections that will allow those who remain to form relationships. We all had the opportunity to enjoy a meal with the English teachers. It was a neat experience to be able to speak with them personally, in English, about culture and life in general.

The whole group got the chance to go to a boys orphanage and teach ESL. Our guys even spent an afternoon playing basketball with them. I wish I could have seen that, but the girls were forced to go shopping instead. Those little guys were so cute and eager. They wanted to learn because they wanted to please us. It was so fun to interact with them and, yet, sad because they have nothing. It was a "reality moment" because these boys are content and even happy, though they have no family and only their basic needs met. I tried not to think of them as the adult, arrogant, "womanizing" males I had seen and at the same time, I tried to think of those adults when they were young and innocent like the orphan boys.

Another thing that only a few of us got to do was to go to a baby orphanage. I have never seen so many little babies in one place in my whole life. It was amazing. The good thing was that they were all well fed and well dressed. The sad thing was that they had been abandoned to live in a small space with those who, despite their best efforts, couldn't give attention to each. We arrived at feeding time and it was quite an operation. In between babies I would walk around and just talk to them and touch them, quieting those who were crying. I thought of babies in the U.S. who have rooms full of toys and who have a mother, father, grandparents, siblings and countless friends ogling over them. I prayed that they would be adopted by Christian parents, and then discovered that they are only able to be adopted by Muslims. I could go on and on about that experience and though it was sad, I could do that everyday.

Well, Mom, how did I do on detail? I really did leave out a lot. Maybe at a later date I will expound on some of the little things that were so meaningful. I am a little unsure as to what I can say and what I can't, so that has inhibited me somewhat. In any case, it was an experience that I will remember forever and yet, I am sad that in just a few weeks, the little conversations and other little nuggets of significance have already started to gel together in my memory. I will continue to tell the stories to keep them fresh.