Little Moments

Last night, I sat on the steps outside a building at the CYEC with my baby, Maureen.  She is my little sidekick.  It was late, and the stars were bright.  Kids were running around, laughing and playing ball under the moon's light.  Maureen and I sang songs and talked until she told me "Take me to my bed, Bethany."  I carried her to the dormitories and she pointed out which one was hers.  There are two rows with about 30 beds in each row.  One mattress and one sheet on each.  I laid her down, she rolled over, and she fell asleep.  She didn't ask for a bedtime story, a kiss on the cheek, or for me to sit with her until she fell asleep.  She didn't put on pajamas or brush her teeth.  She just went to sleep.  Nobody knew.  She doesn't have to report to anyone, and she has no one to tell her when bedtime is.  She is her own little boss.  I think back to my childhood and my bedtime routine that included a warm bath, books, and songs.  I want to give that to each child here, but there is nothing realistic about that desire.  


As I walked out of the dormitories, I was feeling very sad.  However, one thing I've learned during my time here so far is that happiness is always around the next corner.  Sure enough, as I headed out of the rooms, I saw three year old Diana, who is the youngest child at the CYEC, running toward me.  I picked her up and carried her to the same place I had sat with Maureen.  She leaned into me and and I started singing "Jesus Loves Me."  The fourth time through the song, I felt her body get heavy and I knew she was asleep.  I kept singing.  I rocked her and hummed for nearly an hour.  It was truly a beautiful moment.  We were under the African sky and surrounded by laughing children. I will not forget last night.  


Today (Sunday, June 3), I had another "little moment."  I was sitting on the hill above the soccer field at the center.  Looking straight ahead, I could see green plots of land spotted with banana trees, goats, and cows.  On my left arm was Eric, and Chris was on the right.  Idd was playing with my hair.  (The kids LOVE to play with my hair.  They will literally walk up behind me and start running their fingers through it or braiding it into a crazy style).  We sat like that for a solid 30 minutes and I didn't say a word.  I just sat there and soaked up the simplicity of the moment.  The three boys talked in Kiswahili, and I just listened.  The boys on the soccer field were laughing and running around, and I just watched.  They touched my skin and hair, and I just felt.  (The kids are also obsessed with arm hair--it's so funny!).  This place is just so beautiful.  I wish you could all take my place for a day and experience it.  


At Church this morning (I go to Church in Nyeri with Abraham, one of the staff members), the pastor talked about how "little can be much" if it is appreciated fully.  In the three moments I have just described, I have felt the truth of that statement more than ever before. 


be back soon,
-br