Thursday afternoon, the last day of the 4 day school week here, we celebrated the 4the of July and welcomed home our director and his wife who'd been ministering in India for a month. What a party! Each class pooled together and some of the mother's backed tasty treats. Cake and doughnuts were passed out for almost an hour straight until everything was gone. Top that off with some soda-pop and extra sweet Tang, and it was mayhem in the best sense possible. But what fun to hear those kids sing songs! The teachers opted to sing God Bless America for us.
I spent most of the later afternoon in the medical clinic. Seemed every kiddo in the school had some bump or scrape. At one time there were 6 little ones all crowed around to watch. There are some nasty thorns that the kids get in their hands, feet, or heads from time to time that work themselves deep. We did our best. I'm not on the hunt for some topical anesthetic. One little gal, she had one real legit cut up knee, but as for the rest of the ailments, I think it had more to do with the one on one attention, and love than anything else. And I'm perfectly content to give out bandages and kiss cut fingers and pray with these kids, speaking over them that they are precious, loved and meaningful. I smile hearing a little 6 year old say "Aye, Britt-ny, girl"! with that amazing island accent as she stood up to the pain better than I thought she would. Just when it was all cleaned up and everyone shuttled out the door I heard the now familiar "Miss Brittany!!!" A beautiful little 7 year old had been running with the rambunctious, sugar-filled crew and ate it on the path. So scooped her up and it was back to the clinic. She'll be fine. Skinned knees and gravel in her palms, but nothing that won't heal up. Probably more hurtful was the harsh reprimand from an onlooker when she came up bleeding and sobbing. She's a little kid full of sugar after a party! I think she's suppose to be playing tag and having a good time. It's a lot easier to mend a scraped knee than a hurt heart. Independence day. Freedom. Freedom of soul, freedom from shame. I want so much for these kids to know that they are loved, that God has a plan for their lives, and that they can be free to become all that he purposes for them.
