Itty-Bitty Kiddos

Generally speaking little kids have always been afraid of me… it’s not so much me but they aren’t really sure what to do with the color of my skin. A few cry. Some run. Some ignore my attempts to smile or say hello.

I figure the best way to get over this is for them to see me more and maybe then my skin won’t be so unusual. So I’ve been hanging out in front of our house at the well. Many afternoons this area becomes a playground for the little children. I don’t know if they all wake up from their naps and find each other here or just what, but at 3pm the 3 and under crowd show up.

The kids a little older are also very curious but not as shy. The first few times they see me they like to yell “Coon-ya” (meaning white person). I try and respond “No coonya- Amanda.” It has been so fun to see the progression but now when I walk on our street there is a chorus of little kids yelling “Manda, Manda, Manda.” I try to always give them either thumbs up or a wave. Deep in my heart it makes me warm… I’m not longer a white person, I’m Manda.

A few days ago, I walked out of the house and heard “Manda!” I looked and there was a little girl giving me a thumbs up. It’s so funny, they see me in my window and they yell my name. They do it so much, I’ve started saying “Yeah?” So now somedays they say “Manda, yeah!” to me. It’s just so funny.

So I’ve got this crew I’ve deem the Itty-Bitty Kiddos… I wrote a few weeks back about a little guy Eddie.

Well let me tell you this guy is playing hard to get. I try to say hi to him and he acts as though I don’t exist. Then I turn to walk away and I hear “Manda” I look and Eddie is giving me a big smile and a thumbs up.

Recently I’ve noticed two more little kids and they aren’t to sure of me either. So I decide I need to get down on their level.

I sit in the dirt. But now what?

I gather a few leaves and stone and make a smiley face in the ground. They all inch in to see what I’m doing… and just like that it happens.

Little Nick.

Eddie is just a few feet from me and we are playing peek-a-boo. I decide to try to take this a step further and I tickle a belly and make silly noises. Before I know it T-shirts are raised and bellies are being proudly displayed to receive a tickle!

Eddie... "If I can't see her, she can't see me!?"

Wanna tickle this belly?

I wish I could see the faces of the kids on each side running away!

I stay seated and let the itty-bitties come to me as they are comfortable and before I know it Eddie is running circles around me as I reach out to tickle him, he giggles as only a child can do.

Eddie running in circles around me,
trying to avoid my tickles!

As always with kids you can’t really plan this stuff, so I’m just shocked as our games go on. Next one of them realizes that my feet are out. They feel safe and curious and before I know it they are touching my feet. First just darting in for a quick touch and then it turns into two games at once. The boys play tag, while Nicky tries taking my shoes off. Eddie is so funny everyone in a while he stops hitting my feet just long enough to give me a thumbs up.

Just checking in... it's okay if we play with your feet, right?

And then with no warning he leans over and puts a hand on each of my legs. I think I might burst with excitement! I just want to capture the last 30 minutes and put them in a jar. I can’t believe this is happening with a child who a year ago would cry when he saw me! A few weeks ago, he wouldn’t come with in 5 feet of me.

Out of nowhere... WOMP he is on my legs!

Today he sits, playing with my feet as if we do this everyday.

The best thing however, happened when all the kids were running around playing. I’m not even sure what happened, but one second Eddie was running and turning and the next second he was sitting in my lap. He only sat there for about 10 seconds but it was enough time for me to sneak in a little hug.

So I feel like I have a crew of kids. They are to young to do much of what we do at the Center, so for now they are my Itty-Bitty Kiddos. And I’ve been working to gain their trust. It feels so good to see progress!

Nick's twin, Nicky.

They have no idea how much I love them and think of them. I hope that over time they grow to learn this. I hope they learn not only of my love but that they are able to see the love of Christ through me. I pray that they do.

** I'm trying to be better about changing names of the kids, that way if one day I have personal information I don't have to switch names. Nick & Nicky are not their names, but the twins names are off by one letter, so I found it fitting.