The first "This is Africa" post last Friday wasn't exactly a positive one. Just wanted to follow up and let you know that there are positive connotations to that phrase, too. The following photos are of Africa - highlighting the reason we are so glad our baby is growing up here.
On Saturday we went to a church dedication in Zona Verde. Esmé and a new little friend stole the show for a few minutes as they played by the front door - the "dignitaries" were getting ready to start the key ceremony, but people were too busy taking photos of the babies to pay attention. At the center of baby conflict - a $0.97 doll I bought from WalMart. I'm so wishing I had brought over a suitcase of these.
Here's a photo of the new church, with church members gathered around.
The old church building next door is being put to good use as the children's classroom. In a country where the children are often ignored in church, it's wonderful to see the country's future in a building designated just for them.
Here are the Africanized pews in the old building - cardboard rolls (probably inners for plastic sheeting or something like that) tied together with string and placed on homemade concrete blocks). ("Africanized" means ingenuity here.)
While the dedication service was going on, Esmé was making friends outside. She played with this girl in a rock pile for hours.
I'm considering changing our profile photo to this one.
This boy had on a monkey shirt. Esmé excitedly called me over to see it, saying "mon."
The action brought over quite a few more boys. Esmé wasn't quite sure what to make of all the attention.
She returned to the rock pile. Notice that "monkey" boy followed.
Here he is watching as Esmé pours rocks inside a plastic bag with no bottom. Her girlfriend had had this wrapped around her foot, and when she took it off Esmé was quite fascinated with it. She tried putting the plastic bag on her foot, too.
And girlfriend found some ribbon from a cassette tape in the rocks and was "flossing her teeth" with it. Esmé had to try that, too!
Another little girl who found plenty of entertainment in a piece of tape!
There is JOY in Africa, friends! Found amidst the rocks, plastic bags, cassette ribbon, and tape.
And peace and love and all that other good stuff found in the pages of a worn Bible in the old church.
THIS is Africa!
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21 comments:
Hello, Esme its nice to know your life in Africa, so you are an adventist. Its my family religion way back. My parents and some of siblings but me I am no longer following.
You always have such nice interesting pictures, I really enjoy them. I read your last few posts to get caught up to know what's going on. That was nice to go to the dedication of the new church. I liked seeing how they made the pews in the other church. That is really using what is available! Do you ever go to the beach? Your 'about me' says you are not too far from it. How long do you plan on staying in Africa?
I hope you are having a wonderful Sunday!!
What a wonderful post. I love that they're using the old church building for a classroom. That's fantastic. Kids are just wonderful, aren't they? They can find entertainment in the smallest things.
Why buy toys when you can get rocks for fee! Great pic as usual.
Those pics of Esme with her African friends are priceless!! And it's amazing how the simple things bring so much joy sometimes, huh? :)
What an amazing learning experience. I think it is a wonderful thing to do what you all are doing!
I loved reading this and seeing your pictures. I especially love how you said, "There is joy in Africa..." The new church looks wonderful, that bible is priceless, and your daughter is darling!
great pics--how encouraging to read how God is working.
Wonderful images and message here! Fascinating. Thanks.
I loved all the pictures. It's nice to see the children playing together. And isn't it funny that the simplest things, such as rocks, make for great toys? Very cute.
I so enjoy all your pictures. And your little one is too adorable.
Wow...and can I just say the pictures of the two girls and one shadow speaks volumes!!!!!!!!!
Beautiful pictures! I love reading your posts, the innocence in this one makes me so happy! There is nothing like flossing with a cassette tape! :) Kids are amazing!
Nice post to read. Makes me think of the peace corps. What an amazing experience for your family. I will go and read more.
What a great post! I loved reading along with these wonderful photos :) The children are so sweet!
I enjoy all your posts, whether positive or not. It's very interesting to learn more about where you live.
You know this really makes me think. The kids find things to play with and enjoy them for hours that we here would consider garbage. Yet, the toys, the mountains of toys we have, often go unplayed with for days on end....
Simplier can really be better in many cases. Thanks for this, it was lovely!
Great pictures. It looks like such a wonderful day. Love it!
Aren't children wonderful?
Ahhh, that was a really cool post. What beauty you must see every day amongst the poverty. You are raising your daughter so well. You must be proud. Love that pic of Esme smiing looking up.
I think THIS is the Africa that more of us westerners need to see . . .
Beautiful picture!
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