First Day at the Chisomo Drop in Center

Today we went to the Chisomo drop in center. This is for the kids that are living on the streets. Many of them are using drugs to make it through life on the streets. They come in the morning and sleep and then we help with tutoring for awhile. Later we have lunch together on the floor using our hands. We usually eat a cornmeal paste or porridge with beans. Silverware is not needed. My favorite moment during lunch was when I look over at a boy named kelly and he is eating something foreign. He then puts both of the pieces together to show me that it is in fact a chicken head. He proceeded to make sound effects so I would fully understand what he was eating. He asked if I wanted any. I laughed and said I was full. Part of me wanted to laugh and the other run outside and vomit. A very unusual reaction for me.

There are a lot of boys at the drop in center. Most 12 years and older. The oldest is 24. This morning while we were helping some boys with reading I realized. I could live in this country for the rest of my life and teach these kids anything they want to learn about. Liberal studies may be calling name. So if you want to pray for me this week. Please ask God to start opening doors for me. I think this is the first time I found something that involves kids, foreign language, and something I could be passionate about. But we shall see it is only the first day.

The boys are starting to teach us niange the local language in this part of town. I know how to say hello, good, friend, shoe and hair. They laugh as they teach me. I am learning slowly. The boys are precious. Many come from terrible backgrounds but they have a light in their eyes when you sit down and talk with them. Many of the people around the drop in center call them bad kids and terrible names. They are precious. Its been one day and I have already fallen head over heels for this country. They know some english and the boys that dont get translated for. Wumba is the man who monitors the boys. He has a big heart for street kids. We had a good talk today about showing the boys that you do not care where they come from, what they are on, or what they have done. These boys are starving for any love or respect. They are amazed when you sit to eat with them or look them in the eye. Alot have been asking how old I am, and then smiling real big when they realize we are close in age. I laugh. I can see the marriage proposals coming.

Tomorrow will be our first day at Mckinley or the orphanage for the kids that live in Chisomo. There are not alot of girls because they find that the streets can be more profitable. We are hoping outreach on the streets with our team of girls will encourage them to join Chisomo.

We have been eating a lot of toast, Nshima ( a cornmeal porridge), tea and fresh veggies. Life on base is great. I have been getting up super early to watch the sunrise and hang with the lord. God was really calling me out this morning.

He gave me Romans 7 and 8. Talking about how we do what we hate because of our sinful nature. But that Romans 8:39 says that god loves us no matter what.

I dont think that I have always believed that.

But i am learning
love you all