It’s not every day I get the chance to say “ok go wee wee outside and run back!” followed by 16 four year olds running across the yard to the fence, squatting and standing all in a row doing their business and running back in. But really, this week I did. Nor is it common to march about a dirt field (called the playground) with a trail of children behind, clapping my hands above my head in a preventative measure so as to not become a human jungle gym. But yes, this week I did.
Manzini ministry has looked different for everyone this week, but Garrett and I get the joy of learning from 4 and 5 year olds. We are working at a preschool carepoint aiding the teachers in whatever needs done. My first day, I was introduced to the children as teacher Joanna. By Friday I actually was the teacher for a time and taught some colors and shapes (I’m not sure how much they’ll actually remember or understand but it was great non the less).
During what they call “break”- which is actually from 10 to about noon when we leave, I become the student and the children become my teacher (although they still call me mulungo teacher (white teacher)). I learn and am challenged with a great range of things- like a swazi version of London bridge, a couple of swazi songs, how to, or rather how not to, keep children from climbing all over me and each other, how to clean scrapes and cuts, how to keep the endless wave of children out of the school room, how to pray for patience that can only come from the Lord, how to see the importance and significance of loving these children, and how to have fun with a simple brick.
One of the first days there, I told a couple of girls to put the bricks down and go play. But the other day, I saw the simple beauty in the bricks. Looking over I saw a group of five year olds helping each other wrap small bricks to one another’s back- just like their mothers.
I realized it doesn’t take much in this materialistic world for children to have fun. It doesn’t require the latest toy or gadget to make a child have the best and brightest smile. The other day I had the chance to talk to an incredible young lady about materialism in America and even in Swaziland. My mind was blown with how the amount of money we do or don’t have, even in a third world country, never satisfies. I’ve been learning and my prayer these past couple of weeks has been “Jesus give me a hunger and desire for more of you- not food, comfort, clothes, etc.” He is the only one who will satisfy!
