Mike's Perspective: Day 5 & 6

You can go to Arbre de Vie Album: March 2013 to see pictures from Mike's time in Benin!!

Day 5
Woke up to read the words, "Trust in me and don't be afraid, for I am your strength and song." "Sing his song by sharing the awareness of him and rejoice on journey together with him." The night before I made mention of what I got from the visit so far. After a night of sleeping on it and reading those words this morning, I realized what I am really taking from this visit. I have come to realize what it takes to be in a true relationship/team.

I see these kids working together and loving each other up. Whether it be manual labor, school work, or even something simple as playing. They have each others backs, they communicate, trust, and most importantly love one another. They are in every sense of the word a "FAMILY".

This morning instead of doing a workout video with Ashley, she gave me the opportunity to put her through a "Body By Wojo" workout routine. Using weights made from cement, foot stool, bands, and canned food for a little extra weight. The workout was great and fun to be able to use imagination to be able to accomplish what I wanted. Once done with the workout we headed of to the orphanage. Today though Jon went to Porto Nova for some meetings with people and to grab some things. While Ashley and I went into the village to do some home visits of kids who are sponsered, but can't get into the orphange due to lack of space. Once getting into the village, I thought that the orphanage living conditions would be hard on anybody, only to come to see it could be even harder in the village. One of the kids we visited was a little girl who has a brother in the orpahange and what's sad is they are separated by miles and yet hardly get to see each other.

After finishing all the visits we got back to the orphange right around supper time. Instead of putting in some work Jon & Ashley allowed some of the kids to go cut down some coconuts for the family. It was a site to see Augustin climb this tree and cut them down, but even more impressed on how he slid down. I tell you what, nothing like cracking up a coconut and drinking the juice right away.

 

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Day 6

The days are flying by it seems, but the mornings never start without a good word, "Rejoice and be thankful. Thankfulness lifts you above your circumstances." Those words are never more apparent when I see the kids here at the orphanage or like this morning getting to run with Seraphin and Ashley. Especially seeing him run in a pair of shoes that somebody sent him, not in flip flops or barefoot. On our run this morning we had a little "Rocky" moment as we passed an elementary school and the kids started to run with us down the dirt road. Of course yelling A-E-Bo. We got back from our run and Femi and Louie were watching a Batman DVD at Ashley & Jon's because they didn't have school today and got to stay the night last night. Once the DVD was over Louie played a song, in which I had no idea what the words were (Si ce n'est que mon Dieu), but you could see it meant something to him and Femi.

On our way to orpahange, we stopped at the market to grab some things for some family back in the States. I got a traditional baby carrier I guess you can say for Michelle Dunn who is due here in May, and made some wallets/purses for others. Once we got back to the orphanage it was time to finally finish the varnish up on the new orphanage. While I was working I was surprised by Dossou with a picture that he drew for me. It brought a huge smile to my face that he drew a picture of things that I have done since I have been here. The varnish is finished and it was time to celebrate by taking some time to play with the kids. We played soccer and I was the goalie which was a mistake by my team. I let through 3 goals before you could blink...

As the night was coming to an end the kids performed some skits of my time here, as well as performed some traditional African songs and dance. It's amazing to see in person these things and how passionate they are about them. Of course Ashley, Jon, and myself got involved showing off our "Footloose" dance skills as well. Before we were going to head back to Ashley and Jon's the kids circled around me to say prayer as tomorrow night I will head back to the States.