Last Day at Kabanana

I can't believe it has been a week since I had to say good-bye last Friday! It was so hard to know that I was leaving.  I knew how much I loved those kids, or so I thought (I love them more than I could have ever imagined)!  As I told them how proud I was of them, their tears began flowing.  I prayed over them and during the prayer, all I could hear were sniffles and then sobbing.  In Zambia, you are not 'supposed to cry" and teacher Dorothy had even joked about the fact that I shouldn't bring a "funeral"to her classroom, but she was even crying.  I think they were sad I was leaving, but even more than that, I think all that they deal with at home needed a good cry!  A good cry can be good for you especially when you are in a safe place to let it all out.  Teacher Dorothy has created a classroom of safety, happiness, and love.  This is something these kids don't have at home like they should.  Teahcer Dorothy is the head teacher and so not only does she know all of the stories of the kids in her class but the stories of all the kids in the school  Essentially she is a teacher, counselor, nurse, and prinicpal!  The stories that she has to bear is almost too much for any human being's heart to take.  All of the kids come from severe poverty and I think out of 20 kids in my class only 1 had both parents.  Many were double-orphaned, and the rest typically lived with their mother.

The whole school came together in an assembly and presented the American teachers with a gift.  They gave all of us chitenge's which is a piece of cloth the women wrap around their waist that goes down to the ankles.  The kids were allowed to speak into the megaphone if they wanted to say something to us.  Many of them said thank you and then came Dalitso (which I would have put into my bag and brought back with me if I could have), he was sobbing and so loudly said, "teacher, I love you! Please, please, please, don't leave!"  My heart fell into a million pieces!  We all cried a little bit more and hugged.  The good thing is that even though we left, their teachers are there and love them so much!!  Those kids know that too, and know that they can always talk to their teachers about anything.

The donors of the school were there on that Friday that we were leaving and so the students gave a presentation.  One of the 7th grade boys spoke from his heart about Kabanana meant to him.  This is a paraphrase of what he said: Kabanana means so many things to me.  I have learned to love and learned to love others.  When I grow up I want to be a lawyer so that I can help those who are imprisoned.  It is AMAZING what these schools are doing for these kids in Zambia.  Everyday, there are kids in the community peering over the wall of the school or through the gate longing to be able to come to school.  If any of you would like to make a difference in a child's life and send them to school, please contact me and I will share with you about the Father's Heart Sponsorship program through Family Legacy.  I have seen the change that has been made in two years of the girls that I sponsor and it is beautiful to see them learn and grow.
 I love those kids so much and I didn't want to have to tell them bye, but God has filled my heart with a love for them that I didn't know was possible.  As much as I love those kids, how much more God loves them, me, and you!  I cannot even fathom the love the Father has for all of His children.  No matter how much they are hurting, they can always find comfort in God's love! 

Precious kids in my class!!

"In your unfailing love, you will lead the people you have redeemed.  In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling." Exodus 15:13