THREE tubs of peanut butter???

This week I visited another NGO works specifically with children whose parents have HIV, and therefore the children also have high rates of HIV. I went with a Pastor from Zimbabwe who is looking for ideas to start a preschool in his village. He showed me pictures of his kids, currently there are twenty-five kids enrolled. We had just met upon arrival at this new place, but we got along quickly. I was very impressed with the setup and organization at this place. They save and find creative ways to use almost anything from x-rays to cardboard boxes and cupcake liners. This NGO was the first in the region to begin distributing ARVs to HIV patients. Although, ARVs do not cure AIDS, they battle the process of a weakening immune system and the outcome is a fairly normal life that is less ruled by the disease.

The children’s eyes light up when they see a new person walking through the door. Upon arrival, I was warmly greeted by about ten children hugging my legs. My mind wondered about how much greater the world would be if we all viewed one another like these children. They see a new person, they share the love. Simple as that. All morning long, the children would grab my hand or hug my legs as they walked by. The Pastor from Zimbabwe benefitted greatly from our visit as he walked away with five large bins of supplies to get his preschool started. They were more than generous, giving him tubs of glue, paint, games, books, puzzles, balls, and THREE tubs of peanut butter. He is also taking a couple sewing machines and other machinery with him back to Zimbabwe. Mind you, the bus ride is thirty hours long, and he has to transfer all this equipment from bus to bus. I thought, this guy must really care for his preschool. He had to pay for transport, ride the hot, sweaty bus thirty hours here, gather donations and now lug everything back the same way. I’ve noticed a work ethic unlike any other in Zimbabwean people.

Today I squeezed in some much needed Skype conversations and worked on sorting out potential online summer courses. Isn’t technology wonderful? I got to spend a morning with Marlee, have lunch with Della, and soon I’ll be joining my classmates in coursework from across the sea. I also must celebrate in this victory- I have gone running two days in a row now! My ankle will be fully healed in no time! Yippee!

Every once in a while, my heart drops thinking about home and wondering what’s happening. I get nervous about school and all the things back home. Then, I remember how short life is. How insignificant these worries are and how beautiful South Africa is. With some reassuring chats, I’m read to keep on keeping on.

Luv y’all.

xoxo