The Struggle is Real

April 1, 2014

Be Awesome Today

The Bungee Crew!

            I’ve been struggling with the idea of leaving this beautiful Nation. My mind is constantly running with new programs and plans for mothering the abandoned children. The struggle is real because I’m only a junior in college, and I need to graduate first. A great friend once said, “School is everywhere, you can decide where you want to be!”  So, I’m transferring to Fort Hare University and finishing school here in South Africa. slooF lirpA!! If you can read backwards, you’ll discover that I just tricked you! However, the struggle real. Today at CATCH, I watched a little boy sitting across the table from me coloring in his coloring book. He is a very polite and sweet little boy. If you can get a smile out of him, it’ll make your heart melt. His story is one that sticks in my mind like gum on the underside of a cafeteria table. Even after you pick it off, still some bits remain.

            His name is Bonga and he arrived last week, alone. I would guess that Bonga is around 7 years old. His oversized clothes bared holes and desperately needed washing. Bonga just strolled into CATCH and then stared at the ground. When asked where his mother was, his response was heart wrenching. He explained that his mother was drunk and had misplaced her wallet. Bonga was the only one around, so she accused him of stealing it. His own mother severely beat him and bit him. Bonga lifted his shirt to reveal deep teeth marks and scratches around his collarbone and ribs. Bonga has been staying at CATCH ever since. Social workers are working on his case. They contacted his mother, whom expressed that she doesn’t want the child to return. Now, little Bonga is left without a mother. Watching him from across the table, carefully coloring in a picture of a racecar, I wondered what he thinks. Does he think about it? Is it a relief to be separated from an abusive parent? Or is it more difficult to be separated from his mother? She is still his mother; regardless of the way she treated him while she was drunk. Does he feel rejected? Does he feel anything?

             His big brown eyes scanned the page intently as he colored the racecar wheels blue and red. On the outside, he looks content.  Everyday he looks happier and stronger. He doesn’t appear to miss his mother at all, but he is 7 years old. He needs a mother. At the end of the day, I played blocks with him. We made a tunnel and then drove smaller “car” blocks through the tunnel. I made sound affects of the cars driving through the tunnel, which distracted him from his building. He just smiled and laughed, especially when the “train” went through. At the end of the day, we all go home. Bonga doesn’t have a home. I don’t feel good about leaving him there. Even though he is much safer at CATCH, Bonga doesn’t have a home.  I pray that he will be placed in a loving home where the pain will be no more. He needs to know that he is loved.

            I’m reading the book The Shack by William Young, and I started it last night. I’m half way through and burning through the second half very quickly. I’m late in the game because I know this book was hugely popular when it was first published, and I understand why. Today I also shared my bungee video with the staff at CATCH. The sounds of amazement rang out as the guys on the video said, “5 4 3 2 1 BUNGEE!” And I fall forward with the flow of gravity, straight down into the canyon.  My heart races every time I watch it! I just need some technological help and then it will soon be posted to good ol’ Facebook.

Merry April Fools Day! Taste the “sugar” before you put it into your coffee.

Much luv.