Happy New Year - make a joyful noise

January 1, 2010. Kelly, Sarah (2 volunteers from the States) and I rang in the new year standing in the yard of the 1st home listening to the cheers throughout the countryside. They echoed over the hills and surrounded us from every side. Sarah and "Kelly" sang Blue Moon…to the …well you know…blue moon. I still didn’t have a voice, so I just listened to their joyful song. As I listened to the joyful noises and cheers ringing out around us, I could only imagine the screams and horror that were heard 15 years ago doing the genocide. It must have pierced each soul that could hear the scream as they listened to the bodies of their family and friends being pierced by machete. It gave me pause to reflect on how far this country has come. We lit a candle that Reid Holmes and his wife Katie had given me at Christmas and soaked in the blessings of being in the Land of 1000 Hills at the start of new decade. I slept like a rock thanks to Tylenol pm, aleve, and sudefed…ya, I know that’s a lot, but it worked. I had been living with Zicam for 2 weeks which was doing a terrific job of holding off the cold, but I slid a bit in my timeliness in transit...and voila...the onslaught began. This morning, however, my voice was a little better and the screaming pain in my throat subsiding so I slept 9 hours. The Mama's and Auntie's can't quite seem to understand why I haven't been the regular Miss Donna but I certainly don't want to set off a wave of illness in the homes. This morning,we were greeted by the children all dressed up and ready for church. However there wasn’t any church today so after a little re-jiggering the kids went back to the other compound and changed. Kelly, Sarah and I began sifting through all the donations and making a plan. They were so thrilled at all the wonderful things that you brought for me to bring. It was practically like Christmas for them as they whooped and hollered at the various clothes, shoes, educational toys etc. They have been here for nearly 2 weeks to they have a handle on the real needs and praised God that you have fulfilled them. I had the privilege of joining the Mbanda family for a New Years Luncheon at Chantal’s father’s home. It was a joy being with all of them and enjoying a beautifully cooked meal. This evening the girls sang more songs with the kids. They do such a great job of ministering to them through music and lessons. They have taught them some terrific praise songs with motions. I am going to video them tomorrow. Tomorrow is going to be a BIG DAY. Eric decided we should do it before he leaves...so tomorrow morning all the kids will come to the 1st home to receive the gifts that you provided for each of them. We’re working on a plan to avoid the chaos and to ensure you get a photo of the child you sponsored enjoying their wonderful new outfit and shoes. Tomorrow afternoon we’ll break out some of the educational toys. I asked the adults if they wanted to start up English lessons again in the evening and they literally screamed for joy. It’s so easy to overlook the needs of the caretakers here because of the joy and communication skills of the kids. But the adults are just as much in need of the attention and education. It will be fun to start it about again. Hopefully my voicebox will be back. I look forward to giving you and update on each child over the course of the next couple of weeks. Gotta dash. Time for my bucket bath shower...more about that later. Thanks for sharing in the journey.