Let's Get it Started

Today we went to Nancy's house for our second lesson in Nyanga. She lives in a compound (think Zambian version of low-income housing, which means it is actually nothing like American low-income housing) on the northeast side of town called Chunga. We when arrived, it was very clear that there had not been a vehicle present in the neighborhood in quite some time, if ever. Our arrival caused all of the neighbors to come and take a look- I imagine they were quite surprised to watch each of us get out of the car- their faces only seemed to confirm my imagination.

We got to meet her family- her three biological children, her three previously-orphaned children, and her widowed mother, all who live with her. They invited us in, and served us a sugary pineapple drink (yummy, but pray for our bellies, as the water used to make it might cause us troubles), while we set up the kids with books and magazines to read. Her boys were clearly excited to get to read books, as it seems they don't get the opportunity very often (we're gonna have to get more books so we can give them away on visits like these!).

First things first, Nancy gave us each a quiz to take, testing our memories from last week's lesson. Then we got onto new things- but in the middle of explaining something, Nancy began telling us about a neighbor friend who has a daughter with Down syndrome. Nancy explained that this child is never allowed out of the house, since it would be so shameful for her family. Since we obviously function differently with the kids and take them out often, Nancy told us that she desperately wanted us to meet her friend so that we could talk with and encourage her.

Nancy's young son went to bring the friend over to the house, and when she arrived a few minutes later, she entered cautiously and greeted us politely. Her eyes then fell on Maggie and Mollie, who sat on the floor, and her faced instantly beamed. She sat down and talked with us about her daughter, and we shared about Maggie, Mollie, and Sam. Like they normally do, Maggie blew her kisses, Mollie sang her a worship song, and Sam spouted off one of his Bible verses. At that point, she got down on the floor and just held the girls' hands. The longer she sat, the more and more she seemed to hold back tears. It seemed so wonderful for her to meet kids like her's, and to talk with parents like herself.

We asked her if we could meet her daughter, and arranged to go to her house next week before our lesson. She then told us of two other friends in the neighborhood who also had children with Down syndrome. Nancy agreed to set up visits with each of their families next week as well.

So, on Tuesday, we will go and finally start doing all that we have talked about for the past months. As Nancy sat with us and told us of her friends and their kids, it was all I could do not to burst with tears of joy and thankfulness. It is one thing to just talk about meeting children who have been hidden away, and it is another to see their pictures on a slideshow- but actually being with them has me feeling absolutely ecstatic, even if it is just the thought of it.

So will you pray- for Nancy and her beautiful family (pictured below), the families and kids we will meet next week? Will you pray for us as we prepare? And O, will you thank God with me- for His grace and mercy in allowing me to be a part of this crazy thing He is doing here?






(This last picture of Sam and his fan club is also posted on the Special Hope website, which I hope you are keeping up with too, since Holly is doing a GREAT job of updating with all that we are doing!)