Fourth of July: Africa Edition

Guest post from Christy Hiler

We were greeted at the Amazing Grace School by a large crowd of singing children J What a glorious way to start the day. Oh, they were just precious! So many around Ellie’s age (4).

Joe, the director of the school, and his wife, Grace, gave us a tour of the property, then hosted us for tea on their porch--which was surrounded by poinsettia, hibiscus, morning glory, and daisies. After some shortbread and tea we met with the teachers. I led a devotional and just spoke to them from my heart--words of thanks and encouragement from scripture. Jill followed with a lesson on first aid, showing them how to treat cuts, burns, breaks, and bites, as well as how to perform the Heimlich maneuver.

After lunch--yummy green lentils and chipati provided by Douglas and Angeline--we painted faces and got every child’s photo (for an activity we’ll be completing tomorrow). Oh, they love the simplest things--balloons, bubbles, and stickers. Then we gathered together to hear Christina read the book The Three Trees. Julie followed, speaking of the amazing things about trees: “they point to heaven and God and our wish is that you and your lives will always point in the direction of God.” Also, that there are many types of trees and every one serves a unique purpose. After the story, we decorated t-shirts and everyone put their handprint on a big sheet. Meanwhile, small groups of girls were talking to Jill and Rahab, to receive information about girls’ health.

Before leaving we enjoyed some delicious banana bread from Angeline, made from the same recipe that the previous mission team from Centenary shared with them. They asked us to put our painted handprints on another sheet to leave with them before we left for the day.

Saying goodbye is very tough, but I am so tired and know we all need to rest and refuel for another big day ahead of us!

Note from Steph: We did make sure to get our team's photo taken tonight after dinner with an American flag and several photographs of fireworks. Members of another American missions team also staying here at Thomson Falls took the photo. We got some funny looks from other guests. :)