Finding Favor

What a special day each day is here. There is always a mix of administrative work, therapy related work and, of course, a whole lotta kiddie pooh lovin' to share!

One of the greatest highlights over the past week has been sensing a level of trust from some of the ayis in House of Blessing. As I have learned, most of the women who work as an ayi (nanny) here, are farmer's wives. They are hard workers and have more than likely lived a hard life, not to mention a full day's work prior to arriving for their duties here. Despite the often serious and intimidating faces I find when I enter the home, I am at such a disadvantage due to my language deficiency - far more serious than a language barrier.

Therefore, I have found it is my opportunity to build a relationship with these women that care for the least of these, and all I have to offer when I enter "their" home and long to care for one of "their" children is a genuine "Nihau" (hello pronounced knee-how) and a wave. After that it's smiles and charades.















This past week, I received a continual outpouring of unexpected gifts from some of the ayis. I have been given little crackers to feed Charlotte during snack time. I have been given her bottle to feed her (rather than her having to lay on her back on the floor and feed herself her bottle like the rest of the children). And just last week, I was brought a piece of watermelon - kind of an odd snack to feed the kids, but I did what I thought they were asking me to do. Well, Charlotte is not a watermelon lover (take note, Nana) - Julia was. However, after a few shared bites with the kids, one of they ayis motioned that the watermelon was not for the kids....it was for me. Even more special, it was given to me by one of the "most serious" looking ayis. This gesture was repeated today when another ayi brought me a piece of watermelon...as the rest gathered around the dining room table at House of Blessing. When I went to throw away my rind, the group of women insisted I, little me who cannot communicate with them, take the last piece of watermelon.

These gracious acts have been showered over me over and over this past week....

(Charlotte & Adam with Ayi)
*Visiting with Charlotte prior to playground time...I was allowed to carry her downstairs and out the door to the playground.
*While at the playground I asked to take her to the swings (the kids pretty much just sit around the edge of the playground so they don't get dirty - a few get to go down the slide). While we were at the swings, her nannies went back inside and never told me...they trusted me to just be out there with her and bring her back in. Very touching.
*Today I went to see my Cinderella, she wasn't out of her room from her nap, so being non-discriminatory toward the 2 feet and under kind, I just started playing with others. However, one of the ayis went and grabbed Charlotte, bringing her to me and placed her in my lap.
*The ayis consistently bring her snack and bottle to me now. Precious.

*One of my all-time favorites....getting to lay some of my favorite two-year-olds - a room of four boys (Carson, Cameron, Chi, and Nick) - down for a nap! They take off their shoes, line them up perfectly, hold their arms up, once they are in my arms they point to their bed....just in case I didn't remember, and I kiss them on their forehead and whisper, "I love you and J**** loves you" in their ears. What memories!

Only in this place could one imagine the gift this kind of favor is. I have been overwhelmed by the increasing responsibility and love these ayis have shown me. Which is very rare. I know, the staff here has told me.

And as this favor has increased and I have acknowledged their grace, the eyes of my heart have allowed me to catch a deeper glimpse into the life of these precious women. One glimpse came today as one of the children, Julia - introduced in a previous posting, was unexpectedly adopted today. As I had the privilege of watching this family form as I spent time with Charlotte, I was also there after Julia left and only had the mood of the room and the facial expressions to go by. An unexpected, but very timely and appropriate lesson and leading from the L***....my heart broke for these women who continually pour out their lives for children that are continually removed from them - wondering what affect it has on them. In my time here, I hope to find ways to not only love on these children, but pour out blessing on these women who serve faithfully and hopefully fill up their cups a little along the way.

I P*** that I will know ways to love them in their "language" to affirm them as fellow women, and as servants to a mandate set forth by the One that Created them, yet few know personally. What a privilege these days are to live.