Yesterday (the first day of camp) knocked me out. As hard as we hustled, it was impossible to keep a smile off my face. The day began at 7:15. Kim, the staff member in charge of summer staff, gave us a few minutes to pray over the American volunteers and children arriving. I was flipping through my Bible, praying and thinking, when I came across my favorite verse.
"Oh that we may know the Lord. Let us press on to know Him. He will come as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring." Hosea 6:3.
If I am being completely honest about my faith life, it has been far too long since I have referred to that verse. A verse that has been a constant reminder of the unfailing love of Christ and my duty to love and serve Him. I can apply this verse to every aspect of life, and I have. However, I think that this verse applies so well to this situation. My prayer for Week 1 participants and all participants to come is that they don't just arrive and expect God to change their lives and these African children's lives. Rather, they work to show the love of Christ and to feel the love of Christ themselves.
So, the first hours of Monday went through hectic time periods and then lulls. While the new volunteers received a tour of Lusaka, Summer Staff greeted the 900 children who pulled through Family Legacy's gate. These children tumbled off the bus and into our arms. We ordered them into the proper groups of ten. Then, they played and made bead necklaces while they patiently awaited the arrival of their ambassadors.
I met the cutest 8 year old boys who called me "Auntie Emma Grace". Three of the boys were already sponsored. All knew their sponsors names, asked about their sponsors and told me that they prayed for their sponsors constantly. I found this to be heart warming and something I wanted to share with all who sponsor any children through Family Legacy. These children's love and gratitude for your actions is unbelievable. To them, you are not some unnamed benefactor living in America. You are their Auntie. The Auntie who is giving them a chance.
The rest of Monday flew by. I spent the rest of the day gathering donations with my partner in crime, Meredith. We had two golf carts which were loaded with pounds and pounds of donations and which promptly ran out of gas on us. It was an adventure.
Monday night was almost as tiring as the day itself. While the new volunteers watched a video about the state of Zambia, specifically the prevalence of AIDS, Summer Staff brought their younger children back to the villas to make their sandwiches for the next day. Villa 1, my villa, is affectionately known as day care. We have all the children hanging out with us. All of those children were running around the top room, throwing footballs, jumping rope and wreacking all sorts of havoc. Somehow, we got through it with no broken bones or glass!
Today was no where near as tiring. From 9 to 12:30 I took pictures or "snaps" of all the children at Camp Life. I think I said "sekalala" (smile) over a thousand times. The children are absolutely adorable and so, so happy to have attention and opportunity.
We actually finished up early and had time to shower for dinner! Much more relaxing than Monday. All in all, both have been great!
I was nervous to come here for the month, not knowing anybody, and not really having access to the ever addictive wifi or other comforts of home. My decision to come was the perfect decision for me. Zambia is beautiful, the children are beautiful and God is beautifully all around us.
Luke, a four year old in my villa, said it best. When I asked what he liked about Zambia, he said "I like being in Africa because of the kids ... and the river (I saw) ... but mainly the kids". Me too, Luke!
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