March Preschool Update

SACS (South African Collage Schools):

I left this past week filled with joy as I realized that I have now memorized all 50 of the boy’s names! This remains a powerful tool…especially as I am now able to greet them personally and call out those that are misbehaving or not listening! I have started a good routine of spending the morning slot, 8:30-10:00 with one class, and the afternoon slot from 11:30-12:30 with the other. The hour and a half between is lunch & outside play with all the boys. The boys who didn’t see me in the morning are certain to make sure at recess that I will going to class with them. Once seated around the circle inside I always have many little boys fighting over who gets to sit by me (I must say that still being a single woman, having boys fight over me, despite their age, feels like a compliment!).

My favorite time of the day is recess for I can catch up with the teachers, talking about our lives and getting to know each other more deeply. I had a great chat with one of the assistant teachers named Tina the other day. She asked how I was earning money while I was here, and I was able to tell her about living on faith, and some of the incredible stories of how Jesus has provided for me. It was a sweet moment and I could see her fascination in my lifestyle. I also love immersing myself in play with the boys…not simply just standing guard and supervising, but actively playing with them…children come alive when they recognize that an adult is stepping down to their level…into their world. A few weeks ago I let the boys bury me in the stand pit, but only up to my knees. Of course, as you can imagine, one or two buckets made their way on my lap and shirt…and I wasn’t too happy when a small bucket full ended up in my bra! They love to be chased, tickled, pushed on the swing, watched, and especially listened too! These are the many reasons why Jesus has me here!

Khayelitsha Crèche:

Unlike SACS, I have not learned any of these children’s names yet. Language continues to be a barrier and I am never with a single child for more than a few minutes. However, I am proud to say I have recently memorized all the teachers’ Xhosa names! This just shows that at SACS right now Jesus is using me more for one on one time with the children, and at the Crèche more one on one time with the teachers.

Every Wednesday I continue to load up my car, with different woman volunteering at The Warehouse, and travel 45min into the Cape Flats to the vast township of Khayelitsha. It has been a difficult month for a few of the teachers. A few weeks ago we showed up to the news that Nombongo (the 4 year old teacher), was away from school as her brother had been arrested. It wasn’t until the following week that we heard he had burned down the shack of a local witch doctor, in retribution of a curse, and a child was accidentally killed (he is now in prison, possibly for life)…horrible spiritual situations such as this one happen daily here! The community rallied in anger and unfairly turned against this young man’s entire family. Nombongo is now forbidden by the community to come back to the Crèche and teach! Rumor has it that she has moved...fearing her safety. I will most likely never see her again. Her departing words a few weeks ago keep ringing in my ears… “I love you guys”. Jesus protect this young woman and her family…may you bring justice and love into this situation!

The day I showed up to the Crèche to find Nombongo gone, was also they day I met Nikkolo (the new 4 year old teacher)…it was her first day and she looked rather wide-eyed at the out of control group of 40 four year olds under her care! My friend Lara and I stepped in the best we could. I pulled out every song I could think of from my preschool memory tank and did my best at entertaining the unsettled group. At one point the many children craving some personal attention began to pull at my arms and then my skirt. So many bodies were around me and pulling at me that I could feel my legs give way and I actually fell to the ground! The children thought this was hilarious and I had to tag team with Lara for the rest of the morning to try and pull off the kids that were now deliberately trying to push us over. Later, the art activity for the day was getting the children’s hand print (in runny paint) on a piece of paper…this was clearly not my idea! There was absolutely no order! Can you imagine one bowl of red paint and forty little hands pushing and shoving, trying to get in at the same time? Paint was dripping on clothes, on the floor and all over other children’s artwork. Remember I don’t know the language…and these little ones with their teacher gone were not listening to “NO” and “STOP”!

At one point during that day as I looked around at these precious children, I began to feel overwhelmed…holding back tears I thought, “Jesus what can be done?...These little ones need so much love and attention. They are desperate for love…and I find when I am with them that I am desperate for more of You…desperate to hear Your voice and to be obedient to Your call." Later that night I wrote in my journal:

“There is so much loss and injustice around me here in South Africa, that it often gets overwhelming...thinking that the needs and pain I see in peoples lives is too much to bear...but Jesus continues to LOVE through me...giving me the strength to be his hands and feet, and proclaiming the faith and hope that he brings.”