What’s Been Happening…

We’ve been in East Africa about a month now. It’s been great to be with old friends, meeting new ones, doing trainings, visiting some of the disciple-making leaders at their homes, and checking on farming and women’s projects. Just to be in such a beautiful place with such inspiring people is incredibly humbling and inspiring. When you have a chance, grab a cup of coffee and check out some of the photos from our time there.

When we first got to one of the homes where a woman had received some money to start her samosa business, this little guy was standing with a bunch of about 20 other neighbor children who had run up to see who was arriving in a car.

I went over to the kids and started shaking their hands, which is very customary for them with adults—African adults. The closer I got to this little boy, the more he stepped back, even though he could hardly contain himself he was so excited to see a white person. Finally, I reached him and put out my hand. He VERY hesitantly stepped forward with his eyes huge staring at my white hand sticking out toward him. Mustering up every bit of courage he had, he put his hand in mine, watching our hands touch intently to see if anything was going to happen when he actually shook it. Then, he very quickly pulled his hand back like he had touched something very hot and covered his mouth and stepped back and broke out in a fit of giggles…while he kept looking back at his hand to see if any of the white had come off on him.

Finishing up with what I thought were all of the kids, I turned to walk away and heard loud sobs coming from behind me. I looked back and a tiny, tiny little 3-year old girl had tears streaming down her face. I didn’t know if she was scared or what, so I beckoned for her to come to me. Instantly she stopped crying and walked toward me with her hand sticking out to shake mine. All was well. In her world and mine! Typical, yes, but I never get tired of it!