28 Feb 2025

Morning with the babies

Change of routine because it is Game Day. Inter-class soccer tournament starting around 1030: elimination games, semi final and final game. But on my way to meet with the staff, I was captured by a vast group of three year olds from the early child development center. Their mothers are in school. The young mothers and their children have quarters next door.

I met two class rooms of toddlers. Age 3 class and then the under 3 year olds (pictured) Once they decided I was OK, being the only white man they had ever seen, they wanted fisty bumps and hugs. Only one ran for cover when I entered the room.

I sat down on the mat and immediately I was surrounded with those as pictured. There was no malodor, in fact no odor at all. A few had a bit of snot needing attention, but all were clean, curious, and cheery. I could have sat and played with these all morning. The caregivers were most excited that I arrived, and insisted I come back. Guaranteed a return visit or two with Sammy Skunk.

A great briefing from Mr. Jerum about the development of Yatta, material for a Mully Children's Family Narrative. I then headed over to watch the football.

Games Day: Football (soccer)

The top picture shows the players on the field. The temperature soared to 32 C, the sun was unrelenting and these young men played out on that dry red dusty field at top speeds from 1030 through to 1730, while we spectators huddled in the shade under the few trees lining the field (pictured). The champion game was won by the class of the teachers 2 to nil. The game was two sets of 45 minutes non stop. The winning team is pictured on the right, bottom left are the coaches and the goal tender.

Their reward was a very special treat of two slices of white bread and half a bottle of soda pop. There was limited supply of both, but they wanted me to have some as I was invited to the celebration party. I declined of course, they earned every drop, wow they played hard. I took my supper and headed out about 1945 hrs as I had discovered when and where the choir practices.

Mission Choir Practice Yatta

Up by the dispensary I am advised, so with my trusty little flashlight I picked my way through the very dark paths and spotted these young people out side the dispensary. Then who should appear out of the building but the very kind medic (or as I would say Sick Bay Tiffy) Alex. I remembered him very well from my running stomach problem last year. He was part of my treatment team and dropped in on me a couple times a day until he was satisfied I was well again.

How he welcomed me! I was like a lost brother to him. He, of course why I was out in the dark at the dispensary. Assuring himself I had no medical issue, but my goal was to sneak a listen to the choir, he bought me a chair and I was set. I was treated to five or six songs in rehearsal for about an hour, in the cool of the very dark African night.

Two pieces were in Zulu and a student in technology gave a testimony. As soon as he started his story, I realized I knew him from MCF Ndalani 2022, my first year at MCF. He even remembered what I had said four years ago. Shivers ran all over me, seeing and remembering well this young man from four years ago. He is now ready to graduate with very marketable skills. The miracle of transformations of MCF could not have been more present in their harmonies, their hymns of faith, and the free joy evident in their body language and faces. Kairos!!!

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