Everyday I think of things I want to blog about- I wish it were easier (or maybe that I was more willing to deal with the setbacks and slow service) so I could share much more with you.
This one I can't get out of my mind and so I am trying my best to get it down here.
MONTHS ago my sister Kari was able to get some school textbooks donated for JH. A friend of hers had a container being shipped over and she was able to send them. We though we would have these things around Christmas time, but in true African time- we were just able to go get them yesterday. JK and I took off for Freetown in the morning. I also had a meeting in the city before we headed out to get the books. We were a little early so we walked around downtown Freetown. Of course we found some fake ice cream to eat- and enjoyed in the HEAT.
As we were walking we came upon a girl who looked to be about 9- NO MORE than 11. She wore a tattered slip dress and almost completely worn through flip-flops. She had a basket with bags of cold water on her head. She was selling them. These bags sell for Le 100. That is roughly 2.5 cents. She carries around 25 bags at a time and I am sure it takes time to sell them all. She walks around downtown Freetown (a city of around 3 million), alone, not in school, working all day- and most likely not eating. Here you see sights like this everyday- some children much younger. However seeing it everyday does not lessen the gravity of it all- and for some reason this day it was hitting me hard. As she was walking toward us something happened and her basket fell from her head and most of the waters broke. She tried to go into traffic to get the few that were okay (and still worth 2.5 cents). She started crying and I wanted to cry with her. You see- there are times when these children are working for their parents, but often these children are taken in by another person or family and become their servants. Especially the way this girl looked that seemed to be the case. If she were to come home without the money for those waters they would beat her. The ache I felt at seeing her selling was compounded greatly thinking of the situation she was facing now. JK and I could help her collect what she could from the street, give her more than enough to cover the cost of what was in her basket as well as a hug and move on, but it doesn't seem like enough. Yesterday I carried that girl with me all day- still today.
We proceeded to the meeting and on to get the books. As we were loading the books into the car I saw that at least on of the boxes had formula in it. I smiled and at the same time felt a warmth run through me. You see Wed. morning a man came to our gate asking for me. He was carrying a tiny little girl. She was born this past Sat. and her mother died giving birth to her. Her father brought her to me because he had no way to buy her milk. He had been giving her only water since leaving the hospital. We had one can of formula left in the clinic. I gave it to him and asked him to come back Friday. I would try to buy some formula in town- it is expensive and the quality is not very good, but it is what we have here. We were able to get her some cloth diapers, a bath, a thermos for keeping water clean and warm, and a few other things. We could go to Social Welfare and I am sure they would let us keep her at the orphanage, but then she would not be with her family. The best situation is to be able to support these children with their families in their own villages. When these children turn 18- they need their extended families and communities. The man's sister was on her way to come help care for this precious girl (who has not been named yet), but he still did not have money to buy her formula.
You can imagine what I felt when I expected to find science books and math books and instead found something completely different and exactly what we needed. I am sure my mom told me she was sending formula and I just put it out of my mind- I am also sure that if we would have gotten these books when we expected to- that the formula would have been used elsewhere by now. However God knew- and I think God also knew that I needed the reminder and encouragement that HE KNEW. I can do all this organizing and planning, I can check in and monitor everything. I can help start knew projects and be tough where I need to be. I can discipline and encourage... I can do all this- but it is God who facilitates it. It is He who knows what I don't even know we need, but more than that- he also provides that need. WHEN IT IS NEEDED.
As JK and I left there I couldn't keep my mind from going back to the little girl we met earlier in the day. I still hurt for her and carry her in my mind and heart- only now I pray in a different way. GOD KNOWS. He knows who she is and more than that He Loves her dearly. He knows the situation she is in and He knows how to meet her needs. Tough times and difficult situations will still be there- for her in particular. I am not sure what tomorrow looks like for her let alone her future, but GOD KNOWS. He knew that we would cross paths at that moment and we could help her in the smallest of ways, but we can also continue to pray for her and know that the life she is in is common here and still needs to be fought against. She needed to know someone cared- even if her life was no where near what it should be. Oh there is so much in my head now- and I am sure I can ramble on and on- but what I feel most (and I truly have this physical feeling) is that GOD KNOWS.
He knows these big things and cares. He also knows the little things AND CARES. As we left back for back for Bo- we stopped at a big Supermarket in Freetown that is like a store at home (America). They had so many things we are used to- though they are all much more expensive. I walked through the store saying- "oh JK I love these- oh look at this..." Of course we could only get a few things and headed home. Opening the boxes after arriving home I see some treats my family sent. JK's Oatmeal he loves so much- and for me some Chrystal light juice packs- EXACTLY what I was looking at at the supermarket and did not buy. Also we missed celebrating my birthday and JK's is in a little over a week- we decided that next weekend we would celebrate both. My family doesn't know that- but inside the box was a birthday present for me as well as JK. A few other things as well- but the reminder that He knows the little things as well, that was what I needed most.
