Kids are funny

I didn’t write yesterday?! Oops. Well, it was a good day. We started observation at the Havens to determine what we need to be doing with the kids.

Today we got up and headed to chapel with the first year college students of George Benson Christian College. The singing was awesome, and we were again introduced. Afterward, we headed to Haven 2, where the toddlers stay. We met them out on the playground and played a bit. Next, we headed over to the house and sat with them on the porch and read books to them to kind of assess where they were developmentally with language. It was an interesting time. We had a few kids have “accidents” on the porch, resulting in a saturated book. We also learned some cool songs from one of the aunties there. After a while, we headed to Haven 1, where the babies stay. We were told to find the children we “assigned” ourselves to on Monday. Mine are Jessie (female), 2 months, and Gilimo (male), 10 months. Jessie is a calm, quiet, and alert baby who I just love to hold. I finally heard her cry today! First time since I met her! I also got to rock her to sleep for the first time. Gilimo is a happy-go-lucky little chunk of love who I absolutely love to play with. He isn’t crawling yet, but I am hoping he will before we leave. He wants to so bad!

After lunch, we went to Haven 3, where the more medically fragile children stay. We were told to make sure we saw every kid so that we could have a good idea of where each was developmentally. My favorite I spent time with today was Lincoln (male), age 8 months I believe. He has the cutest smile and loves to babble.

One a more hilarious side note---while at Haven 3, three naked African toddlers came running from their baths and headed straight for me and Charissa. Yep, big naked hugs for us. Awesome. Next thing we know, the aunties are yelling at them and they turn right around and run away!

I’m really enjoying working with the little ones. They are so fun and wonderful.

At the end of our work day, I came in for a shower then we all gathered for dinner. After dinner, a group of us walked over to the soccer field to watch/play with some of the college kids. I took pictures for a couple of girls. It was fun and we met some new people J

Spent the evening playing games in the common area. All in all, a full day.  I really like it J

Love to you all!