A Day At The Beach- With 20 Kids

The first weekend in February Pastor Ibrahim and Auntie Patience got married. Pastor Ibrahim worked for JCCM for MANY years and Auntie Patience came to intern at JCCM a few years ago. Their relationship began during this internship and continued over the last few years and finally we were able to celebrate it together at their wedding in Freetown. (Pastor Ibrahim had a small motorcycle while he worked as home father at JCCM- it was often low on fuel and in need of little minor repairs- or so he would often tell EVERYONE who asked him for a ride or to go quickly pick up this or that- but everyday that Patience interned with us- rain or shine he would have the fuel or would be able to make the bike work without the needed repairs just enough to bring her home- we all knew a little something was starting when we saw this- and we loved it- and of course gave him trouble about it as well)

As I said the wedding was in Freetown- if it was in Bo you would have seen all of the kids in attendance but unfortunately we could only take some. Four of our big kids were asked to be in the wedding and another 16 kids came with me to be guests. We were so thankful for our new ashabee as we were able to wear them together and all knew we were from JCCM (and it was very easy for me to quickly spot my children). We left Bo the day of the wedding around 5am. We had packed our breakfast and lunches and ended up stopping just after the sun came up around 7 to eat on the side of the road. It was nice to stretch a bit and it was also nice to not have 16 kids spilling crumbs and juice in the vehicle. I had talked to my friends at River No. 2 to allow us to get three rooms and just pack us all into them (Kayla and Jenna were also meeting us in Freetown and staying at the beach with us- so that makes 23 of us). They were kind enough to do this for me. I felt that as long as we were making this trip to Freetown- let the kids see something many had not and let us really enjoy our time together. 

We arrived at the beach just before 9am and had 2 hours to play around before washing and dressing for the wedding. Many of the kids had never even seen the ocean let alone been in it. It was GREAT. At first they were all hanging onto me and asking me to come back away from the water. Patrick looked at me with panic in his face and said. "Mommy- wata de shout pa we"- the water is shouting at us. You forget just how loud the sound of the crashing waves are and when you've not heard it before it can be a little frightening. I
convinced the kids to just put their toes in as the waves were going back out- (all still hanging on me) and then to stand as the waves came in and back out. It was amazing to see their smiles and hear their giggles and screams. They started chasing the waves and then be chased by the waves. Before too long they were stripped down and laying on the sand letting the waves wash over them. It was hard to get them out of the water to wash and dress- but knowing we were coming back helped.

We also brought the bean bag game my family sent on the container. This has been a huge hit. It is hilarious when we play at the compound as everyone shouts and dances as the bag goes through the hole- the moms more than anyone. The big kids played this the first day instead of going in the water as it would ruin their hair and who knows what else- this was also fun and we had many spectators.

The wedding was beautiful and like many other African things the reception did NOT start on time AT ALL. This did give us the chance to go out to a good restaurant for dinner at 7 with all the kids (now think of the bill for that one- 23 people, meals and drinks) But it was great. It was an upstairs restaurant with a balcony to look at all the tall buildings in town. Another new experience for many. The reception did not end up starting until almost 10pm. ( the wedding was at 1pm) We stayed for the ceremony parts and as the dancing started unfortunately we had to head back to the beach- it was over an hour drive still and we had some little ones with us that were already sleeping. All were fine though because of where we were going.

We split into our different rooms and I told the kids to not get up until the sun was up- I was not asking them to sleep in but just wait until at least just before 7am as it was already 1:30am. The little kids in my room were up looking out the window well before 5am- I kept telling them to lay down and they would but by 6:30 I took them out of the room. We walked the beach collecting many sea shells and climbing the rocks and playing in the waves.

The big ones were up between 8-9 and we made and ate our breakfast and then all got into the water. The thing I love about No 2 is that there is a river coming into the ocean- this means that on the river side the water is a whole lot calmer. After a little time in the ocean we headed over there. You still have to be very careful because certain areas have a VERY strong current. Jenna, Kayla, the middle and younger kids and I found a great place and stayed there until it we just barely had time to get back and wash and pack up our room for check out. Some of the big kids were rolling and playing in the ocean waves as we walked back. To see these big boys just being thrown around and laughing like little kids- it was wonderful.

 

We had to check out since others were coming in- so once we were all dressed I told the kids to not go back into the water- 3-4 hours is a long drive wet, sandy and salty (and smelly)- especially since we were all sitting two deep in each car. Even with this- NO ONE wanted to leave. Again I had brought packed lunches for everyone- so we stayed and ate them on the beach and then stayed and just watched the water and others in it and then stayed..... finally I just had to say it was time to go. We had school the next day and needed to get back before too late in the evening.

 

What a WONDERFUL weekend. It was a lot of money and effort to get together but more than worth it. Now I can't help but aim towards bringing the other kids who didn't get to come. I thought we would plan a different trip for them and eventually all would go somewhere in the country- but after all these kids experienced and talk about- we have to get the rest of the kids the chance to come here too. I am so proud of them. Those who went on the trip came home talking a million miles a minute and the others listen and laughed and asked questions and enjoyed it with them. They could have been jealous and upset or just not want to hear about it- but they were such good sports about it. It was a nice way to end the weekend.

 

We went for a wedding- and enjoyed it- but came home talking all about this 

HUGE SHOUTING ocean.