It was a full day. So neat to meet Clinton's family and some other randoms. There were definitely a few TIA moments... We went with half the relatives from the city we were supposed to because no one had thought ahead enough to check them out of boarding school. Then we left another little girl somewhere because we didn't know she was supposed to come and had to go back for her. We got lost more than once on the way. Clinton's uncle introduced himself by saying 'Clinton is my son'. This was a little scary since we have never know who his father is. He went on to explain that he was his mother's brother who had cared for Clinton's mother while she was on her death bed and she entrusted Clinton into his care. But, he couldn't care for Clinton because he was still in school himself. Then when it was time to leave someone tried to give us an extra kid and asked us to sponsor a kid for school who is not even school aged. Also, JaJa wants doors and windows... The list goes on. White people really are viewed as walking ATM's here. It's kind of annoying but with the degree of poverty that exists it is understandable. Lauri & I were talking about it last night, that we need to be careful. Its kind of like that children's story, 'If you give a mouse a muffin' ...then he'll want-----. Giving too much can make the problem worse and prevent people from taking responsibility for their own lives. I am reminded of that verse in Philippians 'And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best...' It's harder than it sounds.
My parents and I are gearing up to leave this evening and head back to the US. I have lots to process and plenty that I don't understand yet about this trip. Lately this song by Josh Garrels 'Farther Along' has been speaking to me. It's good, look it up.
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