care point

05/26/08
I went to a care point for the first time today. Care points are places where orphans and vulnerable children can come and get food and have a safe place to play for a few hours in the afternoons. I spent two hours at a care point today while Becca was in a class. At first there were only a few kids there, but as time went on, more and more kids came. When I first arrived, there was this one little boy that was just standing there that really caught my attention. He was about 2 and was so adorable. I asked what his name was, and my friend Swazie told me his name is Dudu. I talked to him for a minute and then reached my arms out to see if he wanted to be picked up. His face lit up, and he threw his arms up to me. He stayed in my arms or on my lap the entire time I was there. I would hold him and spin around or toss him into the air, and he would just giggle. I'm convinced his laugh is the world's most beautiful sound. When I sat down with him after he'd warmed up to me, he really showed how playful he is. He would get down off of my lap, and walk away while saying "Bye-bye! Bye-bye!" Then he would walk a bit, turn around, run towards me laughing, and jump into my arms. How can I even begin to explain how precious he is? After I'd been there about an hour, the kids all sat down together and Swazie led the kids in singing songs. They sang a Swazi song I'd never heard before, Kumbaya (I'm unsure of the spelling here, but I'm sure everyone knows what song I mean. Something about hearing orphans and other vulnerable children sing the "Someone's dying, Lord" verse is very poignant to me; it was nothing like hearing it around a campfire!), a Swazi version of a song we sang a lot in Zambia (Journey interns, there is a Swazi version of "Takwaba!" It made me miss you all!), and then a prayer of thanks song. Swazie commanded everyone to close their eyes and she swatted with a stick those that didn't listen! Dudu (who did not have to be swatted) closed his innocent eyes, bowed his small head, and folded his little hands in prayer as he whispered tiny, precious prayers to our big, loving God. There are not even words to describe what seeing him pray was like. I cannot wait to see him again next week!
By the way, Umuhle (ooo-moo-h-lay) is how you say "You are beautiful" in SiSwati.
Also, my SiSwati name is Buhle (Boo-h-lay). Zabiba gave it to me. It means beauty/beautiful. She asked what I first noticed when I came to Swaziland, and I said "The beauty," so she said Buhle, which is a name in Zabiba's family, should be my SiSwati name. I am not sure a Swazi name is really necessary though, since Faith is already a familiar name here. When a man asked my name and where I'm from the other day, he said "How come you have a Swazi name if you are from America?" I thought that was funny.