We boarded the bus which by the next stop was inundated with children and babies. Some of the women waving goodbye only looked around 15. They could have been siblings of course.
We dropped the older children off and travelled for a further 50 minutes out to a pleasant suburb. When I say the word pleasant, I simply mean that it had more of a village feel but with buildings that weren't completely decrepid. It was far less busy traffic wise and things were more spaced out there were shanty type buildings as well.
The building for the babies who were around 20 months old was basic but large and airy.
We quickly undressed them and washed them outside with a sort of brillo pad and soap and a bucket of water which was tepid. Their filty rags were removed. The black circles in between their eye brows scrubbed off and freshly washed clothes put back on. They looked angelic , clean and beautiful.
Meanwhile their rags were washed and put back on later. Many of these kids live and survive on the rubbish dump.
We sang simple songs about Jesus
And some of the older ones joined in, it was very special. I hope that they remember the words when they grow older.
We then took the older ones upstairs and played with them just as we did with our own children when they were small, trains and bricks. Building the highest tower we could and knocking it down.
Then downstairs got lunch which at least means that they get fed. One less worry for their mothers.
The women helping were kind but firm.
One of the girls helping was a girl who had been to this crèche herself and then onto the school.
It is a fantastic work. They hear about Jesus and learn a different way of life. Some will go on to a good future and will in the process be able to support their families. It really is mission in the true sense of the word.
Posted by Sally
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