I'm Touched...

I’m not even sure how to begin describing how I feel. I’m not sure if I keep repeating myself, but I guess it just drives the point home.

I honestly am in awe of the kiddos I get to be around each day. I’m in awe of our time together. How much they have opened themselves to me. I feel such a blessing from these relationships; I struggle to find the words. But my heart melts each day and each step that we grow.

Nick hugging my leg. I still shake my head
at how comfortable the itty bitties are with me!

Our best attempt at a group shot!

Not only have I watched but over the last year, I’ve gotten to experience as each barrier is broken. I’ve gotten to see the look into a few children’s faces as they have decided what is safe and what is okay. We have moved from tears on sight, to joyous laughter as they chant my name and seek high-fives or thumbs up.

Group hug... aka Amanda's a human kleenex! 

What I feel can only be described as a magnetic pull. It is greatest with Eddie.

Eddie beaming with a bird on his shoulder.
Love Nick's face in the yellow!

His smile is permanently etched in my mind. The twinkle in his eye. The contrast between his smooth chocolate skin and square white teeth. 

The way he makes noises and points at something. My favorite is when he says, “Manda” in his little voice and then he pulls his hand within an inch of his face to point a relaxed finger at something. As if he is lining his finger up to what he is pointing at. 

Eddie had a peice of sand stuck to the edge of his bottom
eye lid. I couldn't blow it out, but he trusted me enough
to get it with my finger. Remember 90% of our
communication is non-verbal. 

The concern that is evident in the touch of such a little hand. One day he found a little red dot on my skin. He picked at it and desperately tried to get rid of it. But his touch was so gentle.

Eddie has no concern for dirt. He literally rolls around in it for hours. He works to do a headstand, which the older boys are skilled at. He usually just stands with both his head and feet on the ground. 

Literally covered in sand, Eddie will come by me. After a quick high-five and smile, he will notice a small section of my leg or arm with some sand. With a delicate touch, he takes care to brush all of the sand off me.

This is the moment I realized Eddie was dusting sand from
my leg. I was so touched by his gesture.

Action shot =)

The day that Eddie and I built sand huts, using half of a coconut. He watched me pack the wet sand in and then noticed another boy hitting a rock against the coconut to get nice little mounds. The fact that for each mound, he would run limbs flailing to go get another rock.

What did I do to deserve so many precious memories of such beautiful little children?

I’ve been saying it a lot lately, but I truly am blessed!

Prayer Request & Praises!

-       On Thursday, Nunu had his interview to obtain a visa to the States and he was approved! We are SO thankful! Praise the Lord!

-       There are so many great things about Nunu getting his visa, but the one I’m thinking about most is that he gets to come home from the capital! He will be traveling by bus on Saturday and Sunday (April 13 & 14). Prayers for safe travel,  good driving and that Nunu can be as comfortable as possible on the 35 – 45 hour ride!

-       Now with Nunu’s visa we can begin making travel arrangements to come to the States. This year has been a big leap of faith as we have only raised about 45% of our income budget for the year. Day to day in Moz, it doesn’t affect us to much... that is until we need to spend over $3,000 on flights. The Lord has already shown us favor, as when I last checked in February flights were around $4,000! My visa is up June 15^th, ideally we would purchase 6 weeks or more out. Anyways, prayers that the flights stay down long enough for us to get the funds together and raise any additional support we might need.

-       As always, health. I have been sick again for the last 2 weeks. I’m about 98% better, but for about 3 days all I did was blow my nose and cough. While my itty bitties are a huge blessing, they also don’t really get germs. Runny noses for them are the norm and just last week one of them point blank sneezed on the side of my neck and face. The next 2 months will be full and it would be nice to have the energy to get things accomplished!

-       We will be bringing on some new staff and doing some moving around over the next few weeks. We have 2 staff members who will be attending DTS (Discipleship Training through Youth with a Mission) and we are just getting more organized. Prayers that the process comes together and that new staff are a good fit.

-       Praise! I’m not sure how to explain but I just really feel like such a variety of my gifts are being used. Sickness and all I feel like we have been really productive over the last month or so (hence the lack of blogs!).

-       Praise! For the sense of community we have really started developing. Prayers that the relationships keep coming and building, as it really has been so good for me to have some sense of a life outside the Center walls.

Thanks as always for reading, commenting and praying. It means so much to me that so many of you follow our lives.

With love,

Amanda

P.S. If you are interested in helping us with our travel home please visit our secure giving page or click on the "Support/Give" at the top of this page.