dreds, friendship bracelets, and dancing!

Yes.. I got dreds. Scary... I know, but you are only in Africa once right? Adimi took us to this ghetto African salon and it was quite the 2 hour experience. They have been fun, but they are itching our heads like crazy, so I think they will last about a week. I tried to post a picture but for some reason the blog won't let me. BUT you should check it out on facebook...it's beautiful.

This week has been really good and we have been able to use our creativity for the after-school program.
We started out Monday with going outside and singing some familiar songs that they can sing along with and also do the motions. We are trying to do the same songs everyday so they can get the hang of them. We have been doing Pharaoh Pharaoh, Hip-Hip-Hip-Hippopotamus, Trading My Sorrows, Every Move I Make, and God is good. The kids have loved singing with us and learning the motions. After music we play some games. On Monday we played Red Rover and the kids seemed to really enjoy that. Tuesday we played red rover until some of the big kids were overpowering the little kids and basically close-lining them as they ran through the "gate." It was so funny because one of the smallest ones got taken out and she just got up and started laughing. Then her sister (who is a drama queen) gets taken out and starts crying, so we decided it might be best to swith games. We then started playing duck duck goose. The kids have really loved it.

Then after the games we go into our guest house and we have prepared a craft station for each of them. On Monday we made popsicle stick picture frames, and on Tuesday we colored pictures to put in the frames. After craft time we give snacks. Monday: popcorn, Tuesday:apples, Wednesday: store bought cookies, Today: chocolate chip cookies. (We have loved spoiling them because they never get treats like this.) Yesterday we were supposed to go to a "youth meeting" at some church but as you probably have guessed by now, it fell through. I know you are surprised. We kinda expected it, so we just went ahead and prepared for that. We had a lot of fun yesterday just being around the kids. We did not feel like we had to be entertaining them, but instead we kind of felt like we were one of them. This is so neat because we have been around them daily and we have built great relationships with them. It will be really hard to say goodbye to them.

Today was another good day! We woke up and finished working on the friendship bracelets for the kids and then we made some suckers tags with "Jesus loves you!" in Portuguese to pass out on the streets. We also made the chocolate chip cookies for today as the kids watched us through the kitchen window with very eager eyes. It was also very humorous because while they were watching us, we noticed that half the time they weren't even looking at us they were looking at themselves in the window's reflection and dancing and posing. It was really cute. After we were prepared we began the daily ritual with the usual songs and a few more neighborhood children joined today which was fun! Then we played duck duck goose, and then we took the kids to our house. We brought 3 of them in at a time and gave them their friendship bracelet that we made specifically for them. They loved them and it was fun to see their faces when they realized that they were theirs! For the craft we made noodle necklaces, and they also were a hit as were the chocolate chip cookies. I decided to end the day with some dancing! Of course this is so common for African culture that all the kids joined in and it was a great end to a great day!

The girls and I were talking and kind of reflecting on our time in Maputo. (By the way these girls are wonderful and have become two very close friends! Such a blessing.) We were just talking about how crazy it is that we were sent here and were kind of just on our own with no big plans for our time here or anything. I am so thankful because we have been really taken initiative and have been trying to use our resources in the best way we can to make our time as productive and useful as possible. When I have been doubtful I have received God's assurance that this is where he wants me. Although I may not be able to see any direct effects of our ministry, that is perfectly fine with me because I am not here for my satisfaction. I believe that through our genuine love and interest for these precious kids, the Lord will speak. I praise God for his assurance through this whole experience.

Thank you all for praying for me!