Youth camp went smoothly yesterday. The kids are opening up a lot more. They are talking to us and asking us more questions. The sad thing is that tomorrow is the last day :( I'm sure there will be crying. Yesterday in crafts groups of five painted quilt squares. When you put them all together there's a cross in the middle. We layed them all out, and it looks pretty cool. Some of the kids didn't really follow directions though. It's funny, because when you ask them if they understand they say "Yes! Yes!". Then later you find out that they didn't at all. They've been taught to be compliant I guess.
After our school activities we had the option to head one of three places. Some went to a preschool, others went to an AIDs baby orphanage. I went to the Ngala Deaf School. It was really interesting. I don't know how to sign really at all, and ASL is a little bit different from what they use. It was challenging, but in the end very rewarding. There was one girl there who had six fingers. It was a little bit weird, especially when she kept holding me hand. But hey, that's how God made her. She was really sweet. I do a lot of pictures at the school. Kids LOVE getting their pictures taken. They like seeing themselves on the back of your digital camera.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------Now for today... Everyday the youth camp kids all meet upstairs. We then sing songs, and someone preaches for about a half hour. Jamie preached the first day. Dave the second. Matt the third. Greg the forth. Andrew the fifth. Sena will tomorrow. Overall the theme was "Facing the Giants". The kids seem to be getting it. They then transition to different activities such as Recreation, Crafts, Life Skills, and Small Groups. It is so much fun to talk to them! They ask you random questions, and it's interesting to hear how they answer yours. I heard that some of them to be pen pals. That would be so much fun. For those of you who don't know me I'm really into writing (as you can see from my blog).
In crafts today we made picture frames. I hope they become something that they really cherish. It's a rare item... a picture of yourself. I really like working with Jamie. We get along so well. She's a lot of fun :)
After our various activities with the children at the school we headed out to different places (just like yesterday). I got to go to the AIDs baby orphanage! It's actually called New Life Home. It's by far the cleanest place I've been in Africa. Another exciting an
d uplifting thing is that all of the children have been cured from HIV. I thought that I would be holding a baby that was probably going to die in the near future... It was really sad to hear how they got into the home. Some of them were born in the hospital, and then their mothers fled when no one was looking. Others were found in dumpsters, baskets on the side of the road, or in PIT LATRINES. How horrible is that? That children there were so cute. I mostly held this little girl named Barbara. She was adorable. The youngest was four months, and the oldest about three years. We held them and fed them for two hours. Adorable. Tomorrow is our last day at the school :( We get to spend all day with the kids though. We'll also see some of them Sunday. Africa is great. I love it here.
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