Uncle Ben

My last night in the states was a late one.  I remember my brother sitting on the floor, writing a note to me in the book my church family put together.  It was hard to say goodbye to him, knowing that his life would change in significant ways by the time I returned home.  Since then he's graduated college, been accepted to dental school, and continued to grow in God's will for him.

My students reading their library books to him after lunch the first day.

He arrived here on Tuesday night and met the children for the first time on Wednesday at lunch.  One of my students who usually doesn't say much proclaimed, "your brotha, looka like Jesus."  It's the beard.  They aren't used to wazungu (white people) with facial hair.  African men don't tend ot have much facial hair either.  She then went on to say, "when people see your brotha, they say, 'Jesus is coming! Jesus is coming!'"   She was thrilled when he joined our table the next day.  Ben has a cheerful effect on people.  

It's always interesting to see what name the children will decide to give a person.  Despite how you introduce someone, they will modify that person's name.  Ben was introduced as "Mr. Ben," but by Friday they were calling him "Uncle Ben."  As I've thought about it, that seems fitting.  I've come to love these children like they are my own. 

 










Uncle Ben has enjoyed playing soccer (football) and Frisbee with the children.  Since I'm athletically challenged, I'm more than joyful to watch with the cheering section. 

cheering section

The children are having fun with him, and I'm enjoying catching up on life (past and present).

This is the maize just outside our gate.