Today I had a first. It was quite a big first to me. I was walking home from talking to Barbra and all of a sudden off in the distance I heard drumming. At first I thought it was just a truck harvesting some sand. Then I realized it was not. I went back and got Barbra to ask her what it was. She said it was probably a funeral procession. It was the most beautiful sound I have heard since I have arrived in Africa. Drumming, real African drumming! It was somber and deep. The beats were slow at first and then started to grow with intensity and speed. Eventually there was a sound of horns that joined the drums. I sat on the step of my house for a while just listening to it. I have heard African drummers before but it was in a university setting, never before in actual Africa. I had the thought for a second to run out the gates and follow the sound. However, I did not. Still it was amazingly magical!

Last Sunday Susan and I joined the Madisons for church. I am constantly surprised by church. I had been to this church before so I thought I would not be as overwhelmed but no. It was completely different than the first time. It was communion Sunday. Susan and I were excited to partake in our first African communion. When they passed the bread it was the wafer thing that I always associated with the Catholic Church. White, flat, round, kinda like a crushed packing peanut and tastes just about the same. Then the drink came around. I have been involved in some very unusual communions in my travels (Remember Missouri mom?) and this was one of them. When they passed the tray with the cups in it I noticed it was a brownish color and I had no idea what to expect. Even when I took my cup I still did not know what it was. Then it was time to take it. Susan and I shared a look of “here we go!” It was coke! They served coke in symbolism of Christ’s blood! I thought that was so cool. I mean, I don’t drink coke and haven’t in about six years or so but it was different for sure. Church was fun because I have met some people at different churches while visiting with other missionaries and some of them were there at Accra Chapel on Sunday. During the greeting part of the service I walked around like it was home hugging and kissing people. I got back to my seat and Joy and Dennis looked at me and said “do you know them?” “Oh yeah, we go way back” I said. We all shared a laugh.

For a more serious tone, we got some bad news last week. One of our mothers is leaving. Mama Elizabeth is leaving in about four days. I don’t know the details of why or where but she is for sure leaving. She has been here for four and a half years and her oldest child is nine years old. About five of my students are her’s and I’m really worried about them. They aren’t telling the children yet either. I actually cried yesterday for the first time for these kids. Not like a single tear trickled down my cheek, I’m talking seriously cried. Adwoa Mary, who is four and one of Ma Elizabeth’s children, is one of the toughest little girls I have ever met and smarter than anyone at least three years older than her. She is a little fireball but very rarely disobeys me in class. Well yesterday I was reading an alphabet book to my class and out of no where Adwoa Mary stands up and walks over to me. I told her to sit down, thinking she had to use the restroom, but she just kept coming. Then she sat next to me, put her head in my lap and just started crying. Like I mentioned above they haven’t told the children but Adwoa is so smart and she knows that something is going on. After a couple of minutes I let the other children color and I took her and put her in my lap and asked her, “Adwoa, what is it sweety?” All she could say is “I don’t know. I don’t know.” But the thing is, she does. The only mother she has ever known is leaving her and she can feel it. It tore me apart completely. My heart breaks for these children because I truly love them. I love these children more than anyone will ever know. I would clean the entire compound with a toothbrush if that meant that I could play and talk with these kids when I was done. Their joy and excitment for life is intoxicating.

when I went to visit Barbra she showed me pictures of the kids when they first showed up to Rafiki. Most of them were pretty skinny and then some were pretty round, just because of eating the wrong types of foods, but when I saw Agbeko’s picture I literally got nauseous. He had these white spots all over his skin, his hair had fallen out, he was 18 months old and barley 13 pounds. I came home and compared it to the pictures IIf you have looked at my pictures that I have posted you will notice that there are a lot of pictures of Agbeko in there. He is four years old and just like Adwoa Mary he is off the charts smart. However, because of the malnutrition he suffered as baby he barely has any muscles in his hands and therefore he can’t write, tie his shoes, button a button, nothing. This makes him very frustrated in class very often. It is even difficult for him to hold a crayon just to scribble. Also he has a little bit, I think, of a social disorder. Whenever we have our one on one time he’s great and outgoing but as soon as he gets to school he withdraws a bit. He gets very nervous with big sounds (that are not of his own making). Any way I have labeled him my hero. Today have taken of him and the difference is spectacular! I just thanked God over and over.

With a full heart and a stomach full of rice and fish I wish you a fine night!

All my love!

Sarah

Prayer Request:
-For Mama Elizabeth as she goes and for her children.
-That we can find a mother to take Ma Elizabeth’s spot. We thought we had one but she called yesterday and said she was not coming.
-We are getting a new roommate on Tuesday. Her name is Sarah as well. She has already been in Kenya for a month and now she is coming here. Pray that she comes smoothly and safely.

These are the links to all my albums.
http://uwyo.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2026370&l=2591d&id=45200525

http://uwyo.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025428&l=a1cd1&id=45200525

http://uwyo.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2025226&l=20e4d&id=45200525
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