yesterday I saw the sweetest moment.
Every few months the ladies at work get new papyrus mats to sit on. Yesterday was one of those days and a pile of the old mats were laying on the floor. I was walking around taking some photos for the group mentors when I spotted Angel (the little girl) and her big brother like this.
I'm not sure what about this moment struck me. Maybe it was the way they were mimicking each other's positions. Or the way Angel's big brother was being so gentle with her. Or maybe it was the way you could see the love they have for one another, so sincerely, so natural.
whatever it was, I loved this moment. I'm sure moms feel this when they sneak in on their kids at night, right as they're falling into deep sleep. So innocent. So precious.
There are so many of these children here. It's truly incredible seeing the way these kids grow up. Their skin is made tough at a young age. Most of them learn to walk before they're one. Their bare feet get used to the rocky hot ground. They learn to play with nature. They're smart kids. Independent. Brave. Eager to learn. And no matter their age, they always take good care of their siblings. Its common to see a 7 year old girl walking to the market with her 2 year old sister on her back, or a 5 year old boy babysitting his newborn sibling.
*also side note, just got back from futbol practice with the ladies and one of them was carrying her crying baby boy while scrimmaging. hahaa no joke. this is Africa.
Its cool seeing how life is like here in Gulu, especially when it comes to kids. Back home i'm always surrounded by little ones, and especially now with two nephews and a niece. I'm learning that life may look different for moms and kids in the states vs. rural African - but there are things that remain so constant - no matter where you are. Things like the way a kid runs to their mother after they fall down and scrape their knee. Or the way a kid will smile at you then run away and want you to chase them (Hunter). Or the way a baby falls asleep in his mother lap like its the safest place in the world. I love bearing witness to the love these mothers have for their kids, and the love the kids have for their friends and siblings. Its truly a community effort here and its awesome to see how naturally they live and work.
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves." - Romans 12:9-10
"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." - 1 Timothy 4:12
"Jesus said, 'let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'" -Matthew 19:14
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