Africa Grows Purple Trees

God is so faithful. Even though I doubt and get impatient, He has been showing me again and again that His timing is far better than mine. From the time I was accepted to go on this trip until now, He has proved that He is in control and that I cannot even begin to know the things He has yet to show me. Last week, we were able to go to the village behind the compound and spent a couple hours with about 150 kids just playing, singing, and having fun. They were so excited to have visitors and just loved to see themselves on our cameras. They are such beautiful and loving children.
We also had the opportunity to go to a community school called Arise. It's a free school that kids can go to who do not have money for books or uniforms, which are required for most other schools. A local teacher felt that street children and children who's parents did not value education needed somewhere to go, so she started the school. It is one room and only half has a tin roof over it. Only the teachers get books, so they write the content on their three foot chalkboards and the children copy from the board on to their notepads. The teachers are all volunteers and some have to walk up to an hour one way to get there every day. There are seven grades and each has about 40 kids to one teacher.
On Sunday, we traveled to Jembo Bible College, which is about an hour away, to visit a missionary couple who we know from IWU and attend a youth revival. They opened their home to us, cooked us lunch, then let us use all of their guest beds for naps before we went to the service! The service was for those in grades 10-12. They sang song after song accapella. It was amazing to see and hear how wonderful they were when it was all student-led and organized choirs.
Yesterday, half of the group was at Zimba Hospital and half went to the villages to distribute food. The half at Zimba saw some really difficult things and in just their first time at the hospital dealt with two deaths. They learned a lot and were able to get some more clinical experiences, but some really struggled with the suffering they were around. My half of the group went to about six villages and had a great time. We had kids chase after the land cruiser and those who wanted to be held, but what surprises me the most here is the way people smile so genuinely and freely.
We have another group going out to distribute the rest of the food today. Our group will be going to the local hospice and to the hospital to see the pediatrics ward.
I have been so blessed to be a part of this group. Our leaders have incredible strength and determination. It seems like we have been running into a lot of brick walls in getting everything organized. Yet every time something goes wrong, our two professors have been quick to find a solution or just patiently wait with a smile.

Picture 1: Jacaranda Tree (it has tiny purple blooms all over)
Picture 2: Sisters
Picture 3: Little boy in love with the camera