Love

I got a text from Peresia this morning, saying that the older kids had stayed home from church.  "Please come".  I had a feeling that a few of them would, but not all of them.  When I got to the home, Grace came flying out to greet me, announced that she was going to bathe, and then "kill you in Chinese checkers."  "Dream on" I said " And HURRY up".  While we played checkers, we all had a long talk about what was going on with the government, our transition...and Helen's deceit.  I shared with the children what I thought was appropriate, but did more listening than talking. They knew this wouldn't be easy, they know the game. I asked them if any of them had ever been to the DCO, and they looked at me as if I was crazy.  "Just wondering", I said.  What I didn't say is that Vivian told me the kids had all been to see her, and no one complained about anything.  She lied, of course. Shocker.

I was very blunt with the children:  "I am doing everything in my power to get us over to WWC.  Everything.  I have people to help us now, and will use them.  If you hear that we are taking new children over at WWC, we are.  We must, because the DCO needs to understand that I love all children, not just you. They need to know we are serious about taking in rescues and cannot give them any further reasons to block this move.

Simon:  "We understand, Auntie Simmie.  We will love the new children, too."

I looked at Simon, smiled and then hugged him.  If only the powers that be had the common sense and decency that these children have.  They are all curious about the new children, and can't wait to meet them.  My love for them all was so overwhelming at this moment.  All I could speak was the truth:  I will fight for you until the day I die.  There was nothing left to say.  "We know, Auntie Simmie, we know."

We spent the afternoon doing what we do best: playing and horsing around.  I watched each child, admiring their strength and resolve.  I hugged them all tightly, told them each how much I love them, and bid farewell for now.  There were no sad departures today, amazingly.  The little ones asked me when I am coming back and requested the usual things:  a watch, a pair of shoes, underwear, legos and a new baby doll with a brush, for the girls.  Done.  These items will be packed in my bags in October.  I can't wait.  Njoki asked me to bring back Auntie Susan.  Janet asked me to bring back Track (real name: Tarak), and handed me a letter to deliver to him.  I promised them both that I would pass along their requests, and I will.

                                          Simon, carrying a case of mziwa (milk)

back with us to the home.

Gideon lives on this bike.  I left one day for a few hours and he was buzzing around the compound.  When I returned, he had made a path around the entire place.  He can change a flat and a broken chain in a matter of seconds.  Below, he is reminding me that the chain needs to be replaced.  He definitely got my attention :-)

The children are great.  I can't help but be the same.  It is difficult to hold on to  the ongoing burdens when surrounded by so much love.  As I hugged and loved the children all afternoon, I wondered what it would be like to get a bird's eye view, from the perspective of the DCO's.  Would they find fault, would they be affected?  Would they see the light?  Would they change their minds and attitudes?   Or would they dig in their heels and continue on their destructive path.  I don't know.  All I know is I am not letting up or giving up.  I know what the power of love can do.  And I know in my heart that truth always prevails. 

We will win.



Lala salama from Kenya.  

Nawapenda wote,

Simmie and Jer and Njoki