i had the best day with you today.

forgive the cheesy blog title. i know it's a taylor swift song. sue me.
i've been singing it to myself all day long for some reason.
why?
probably because this has been one of the best days.
a day i know that i will remember and talk about for the rest of my life.

ashley & jon were gracious enough to let me sleep in this morning. after my melatonin and ibuprofen, i slept like a champ. once i woke up from my melatonin coma, i showered and then a few high school kids stopped by our guesthouse on their way back to the centre from school, it was nice to meet them! then...the new MOTO SCOOTER ARRIVED!!!! part of the money that i raised for my time here in benin went to pay for half of this beauty. (the two cuties in the back live down the road)

i will use it while i am here and other volunteers can use it while they're here too! it should make life much more convenient for future volunteers and also jon and ashley. (tomorrow, i learn how to drive it...watch out.)

we then went to the orphanage (or centre) and i was greeted with the warmest welcome i have ever received! they were all around the open gazebo that is closest to the drive (this gazebo is basically all purpose: meals are eaten here, schoolwork is done here, bible lessons are taught here) and they started singing once they saw the car pulling up. before i could get out of the car there were children everywhere! greeting me with the biggest hugs, saying "it's so nice to meet you". the best.

then we gathered in the gazebo and they sang the best songs as a welcome. i have video of it and will try to upload it soon. (the pictures are taking FOREVER to load for some reason) then they each introduced themselves to me in english, shared their age, school grade and favorite food. 

some boys showed me around their property at the centre (again, will post pics of this soon) and a meal was waiting for me at the table when i got back. it was beans and gari, almost kind of like small sesame seeds. the beans were great! the rest of the afternoon consisted of the children cleaning their room (as they have to every wednesday since they are out of school in the afternoon) and doing other chores around the centre (digging a trash hole, washing dishes, etc.). they received all the presents and letters i brought them and other americans gave them! they were so excited about all of that! mount vernon nazarene university's athletic department mailed over a LOT of t-shirts for the kids and we sorted those all out and fitted the children with them. then it was time for dinner, which i enjoyed! and homework and showers for all the kids before bedtime.

i just kept looking out at different things, still wanting to pinch myself that i'm actually here.

jon throwing an american football i brought with the boys. teaching them how to run plays.

ashley loving on her children. and loving them well.

katinka helping alice with her homework.

mama jacquelyn and mama ahmid cooking dinner in big pots in the open kitchen.

water buckets being filled at the well.

chickens running around.

dogs barking.

the breeze blowing.

the boys playing soccer up the hill by the garden.

the girls getting their nails painted.

laughter.

love.

the best.