My computer is already straining from the daily additions from my ever-busy camera... I took 200 photos at Kondwa Pre-school in the course of about 30 minutes – and at least 50 of those include Mwmaba, our mischevious little man. Gibson is still there - still that same gorgeous face – and the twins, Shad and Meshack are still those sweet little souls. We didn't see Blessing (now 4 years old). She is HIV positive and very sick. Angela promises to take us to her house this week – but I think it is going to be a really sad visit. As Angela says, "you will see how bad things are when you see her for yourself." (Blessing was the littlest one at Kondwa in May of 2006 – everyone looked after her and her smile would light up the room.)
We were able to drop off the (hand-knit) teddies at Kondwa yesterday – Angela will distribute these through the widow group – and took the rest to Benard. His kids are happily wearing the CHSS (donated by Central Huron Secondary School) shoes – and little Benard – his 2 year old son – had one of the new blue and orange striped shirts on at church last week. I think it was meant for a 5 year old – but he was happy.
On Friday we handed out all the gift bags to the teachers. (Jess put school supplies – calculators, rulers, red pens and special notebooks and journals in these bags.) These were received with much thanks and prayer – and all 17 wore their starbucks lanyards proudly with the FedEX pens attached. The bags were a big hit – and again and again I was thanked (by Benard and everyone) for all the great work we do at Flying Angels. Benard told me – in front of all the teachers – that everyone knows who Jesca is – my name is mentioned weekly in the classes – but many of the teachers were expecting someone who is very big and fat – a sign of a big person... Benard says – And can you believe this small, tiny person, is the Jesca you've heard about? Can you believe that it is this small person who is doing all these things? I tell you – I have never felt so overcome for doing so little – and getting so much thanks.
This is a happy heart.
More photos to come next week- Jessica
(Re: the pictures:) As I mentioned before, the Roma girls (from Roma Girls School) and Jess are a group of the students who I wrote about initially – and who are now all in grade 2. Gertrude – with the cleft lip – was one of the original Kondwa crew that sparked the DVD (at Christmas, 2005).
