One of the challenges we were handed when we arrived here was, as a housemother put it, "these children are just too lazy." The missionaries here echoed the same feelings. The term "Orphan Syndrome" was coined. We thought there would be an easy fix to that with the gardening season opening up and all! Let's just say it was a challenge for all of us and also for the children. The last week or so finally we are seeing the proper attitudes when it comes to doing a few chores. Gratitude and an understanding of the help these kids get from their supporters is finally getting through to them. I would be afraid to count the number of conversations Brian, Bob and Louis have had with these kids individually as well as in a group, but it was many. A prayer request is that these children would see the value in working hard and reaping a harvest or reward! That one principle is very sadly lacking in the culture they came from. Today they weeded and pick some produce from the garden:
Lerato anticipating the joy of eating the first cucumber of the garden!
Paulina with the Okra plants...almost ready to produce. Fried Okra will be a new treat for these people!
Komohalo wanting to eat these freshly picked potatoes...raw with salt! Yes, he is a ham, always a ham and he loves to help Uncle Brian, Uncle Louis and Grampa Bob! Really!
At 3 PM today Monica (6 and perhaps the laziest of all) came to me and asked me for a job (no photo to protect the guilty). Sorry, I about fell over and then decided to ignore her due to past experience. Then she asked again with earnestness. So, I wondered what she wanted...and gave her a job sanding the rust on the steel that I had just finished welding. She stayed with the job until the end without complaining and did not ask for anything! Folks, God has worked in this girl's life...I am absolutely convinced of that! Now I don't suppose I owe her an apology but probably a big hug!
I will be careful to be "politically correct" when I say this problem you are describing is alive and well right here at home!!! In the case of the children at RHV, it is a little more understandable because they have truly been traumatized and left abandoned and hopeless.....not so much here in the U.S. You will have a difficult time getting adjusted to the present political scene...at least you missed the Iowa Caucus. I am still getting regular calls...just not so many !! You will be welcomed home with open arms. I have certainly enjoyed your journey on your blog. Safe travels and God Bless.
ReplyDelete1/18/2012 8:33:26 AM
ReplyDeleteBob,
Thank you for the e-mail update.
Reading your update brought two words to mind:
Time and Reverse Gear
Time
Anything we do takes time.
Some things take more time than others.
Some of the most time consuming tasks are trying to change lifestyle patterns (in ourself or in others).
Reverse Gear
We all seem to have a built-in reverse gear.
Whenever we (or someone else) try to change a lifestyle pattern, the reverse gear often engages.
We back away from the new challenge.
Or, the person we are trying to help by changing their lifestyle pattern backs away from the new challenge.
It is easy to get frustrated when others don't "see the light" and follow our instructions for a new (and better) lifestyle.
Now, for the third word that came to my mind while reading your update.
Mirror
The Bible is a mirror to reveal us as we really are and to instruct us in following a better (Biblical) lifestyle.
Question:
How long have we been struggling with one or more issues and still have not successfully changed that lifestyle?
Some challenges in life might even be life long.
Thankfully, some challenges can be met and overcome in two months.
But, don't lose heart if you do not see complete success in two months.
You have planted the seeds for two months that may take root and grow in the lives of these children for years to come.
Remember the cabbage and the oak tree.
One grows quickly and is gone quickly.
The other takes years to grow but is present for a lifetime.
Praying for you as you plant seeds.
Looking forward to seeing you both soon.
Bob