Who would have thought that 9 months ago I would arrive to Swaziland and completely fall in love with these beautiful faces? Actually... Way before I met my cuties in person, I loved them already! Was praying for them! Thinking of them AND just couldn't wait to love on them.. I can go for days talking about the moments that I've shared with them, about the challenges that together we were able to overcome, about how much I love them and SO much more but one thing I will say is that.... My Swazi children are so SO special to me and they taught me how to love like a mother loves her children! I think about how my mother was with us growing up and I feel blessed to have a mother who taught me how to be selfless and to give your all to your children. To love without expecting anything in return and to care for those that you love with your all. I love my Swazi cuties... I love everything about them! Here, I have learned to put them first! To do anything to make them smile. To make them laugh. To pick them up when they fall! To wipe away their tears and hug them. Reassuring them that everything will be ok! Being there for them, even in their messiest moments. When they get sick and having to clean up after them. Not feeling disgusted when it comes to having to clean up after them while they are sick. Or when they come and give me a big hug with their cute tiny muddy arms, after playing in the dirt all day or not taking a bath for days. Cleaning their wounds even if its a challenge to see the wound without feeling the chills. I love them! I love them as they are and love being there for them in their toughest days. I love every part of them and I love that the Lord has allowed me to be here for them! I feel grateful that they have allowed me into their lives. That I am no longer just that "Umlungu"(white person) which they would call me by at first, but that I have become their friend and family in which they now call me "Mama Patty" or Teacha Patricia". Soon I will be going back to America and my heart hurts. The thought of leaving them breaks my heart! It's hard not to look at them and not want to cry as I think about that day when I leave. Now I know what it felt like when back in August of last year, my mother had to trust in God to let me get on that plane and watch me go as I left her side to come to Africa. For her to let me come here and realize that she will not physically be here by my side for when I got sick, to hold me and hug me for when I cried and for many other occasions. Being like a mother to these beautiful children, my beautiful children, has been one of the greatest blessings and I wouldn't change these past months for anything! I would re do all the difficult moments over and over again if it means putting a smile on their faces and making a difference in their lives! I love getting to know more about them and them getting to know more of me! Me teaching them and them teaching me, because they don't even realize it, but they taught me so much as well! This Thursday, I wanted to do something special for them before having to leave soon and it was one of the most funnest days! I will forever cherish this moment. As my very own children, I wanted to give them the opportunity to experience something new and from my childhood, Breaking a piñata!!! We made them two small piñatas, which my Mami taught me how to make and would make them for some of our Birthday parties growing up. The smiles on their faces as they broke them and ran towards the candy that would fall out was priceless! It made me so SO happy!!!! Although I am leaving back to America, God willingly I will be back soon and no matter where I go they will always be in my heart and I will be there for them in any way that I can. Just like my Mami had to trust in God to let me come here, I am trusting in God that he will continue to take care of my Swazi cuties and that the distance will never change the love that I have for them! For now, while I am still here.... I will hug them even tighter. Continue to show and tell them how much I love them. AND enjoy every minute with them! God placed me here in Swaziland for a reason and although my time as a student missionary through La Sierra is soon coming to a close, God is not finished with me here yet! I will God willingly, be back again very soon and will continue to be a part of their lives. I can't wait for the moment in which I can bring my mother and family here to introduce them to my cuties and everyone here in my Swazi home that have become family! Thank you Lord for life and for the gift of love! AND of course thank you mami for showing me through not only your words but actions as well, what a great Godly mother looks like. If this is a glimpse of what it feels like to be a mom, what a precious gift from God it will be! E Africa kuse khaya! <3 (Africa is home now) Ngiyakuthanda! I love you my Swazi cuties! <3 With love, Patty
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