open, red road is all that we had to go on, a cloud of dust following us wherever we went, a testament for all to see where we had gone. slowly, slowly each kilometer passed, telling of another bumpy time of travel. three vehicles passing through village after village, set out to show Christ's love to the children in Kimini.
everyone gathered and no time was lost. rooms were cleared and benches carried out in a matter of minutes, throughout it all countless children milled around and the sound of laughter filled the air.
names were called and classes gathered. the sun rose higher in the sky and flies got worse as the day stretched on. they sat and waited for their turn.
supplies were cleaned and two hundred & twenty bottles numbered, ready for each child.
orders were explained and stations set up: urine test, eye test, height & weight.
curious eyes peered in, lines were formed and dissolved into small mobs, again… and again.. and again.
the big man at the little desk with the light skin and funny gloves received mixed reactions. some smiled and laughed at his french/jula melange of instructions of what to do with the funny little bottle. others trembled and squeaked with fear with he wrote a number on their hand.
who would have thought that a urine test could invoke such curiosity, wide eyes watching the whole process.
height was taken, and always smaller than you would like. and weight, always kilos under what it should be. the glass scale was a mystery to them and a source of amusement for us. it was sat upon, picked up, hovered over, and straddled. until finally we stood upon it and said "comme ça!" and finally it was stood on, with both feet... after some convincing.
eyes were checked and laughter again filled the air. sometimes the child instantly picked up the instructions and flied through, others provided entertainment for all as they stood there confused with both eyes covered instead of one until they understood.
working together towards a common, Christ centered goal breached all obstacles of language & culture. parts of life that were once foreign, are now normal. so many doors are being opened for spreading His love alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ.
time stands still best in moments that look suspiciously like ordinary life…
two days + two hundred and twenty one kids + little ones like the tiny gal above + one interesting "hotel" room with a bathroom door that didn't shut + lots of laughs & giggles + about a bazillion pictures + serving alongside fellow brothers & sisters in Christ from all over the world = an awesome way to spend your tuesday & wednesday, in my opinion…
