House Parting - With a Story

The second of our "good-byes" on Tuesday was at House of Resurrection/AIDS Haven Children's Home.

Joe, Isaac, and the compost station

When Jim and I arrived that morning, we first went to the garden area.  There, Joe and Isaac were putting the finishing touches on the composting station they had built.  The garden was looking green and tasty.  These were some of the visible signs that we had been here.

Fresh spinach, anyone?

But the invisible signs were all around too.  The children of House were - as always - being carried or hugged by our students.

Because of the background of neglect and abandonment of these children, our students were especially concerned about our leaving House.  They had spent four months there, coming every week - and then suddenly, we would no longer come.  They wanted to let the children know somehow that it was no reflection on them nor the result of anything they had done.

Michelle read the story Sydney had written

Reverend Nicolette had suggested that they write a story, explaining why they had to leave.  Sydney took the lead on writing and illustrating the story, and Michelle narrated it to the children.  In essence, it said that they had come from another country far away.  (She showed a picture of an airplane flying across the ocean.)  They came to South Africa - and had met them.  They had seen many things while they were in South Africa - like lions! and elephants! (more illustrations) - but they liked them best.  And, now they had to go back home to their mothers and fathers, but that they were leaving them in good hands, and would think of them every day.

I am not sure if the pre-schoolers understood or not, but all of us had tears in our eyes.

Everyone who volunteered at House - making a funny face, rather than tears