I've been praying for something to post on here....the last week has been mostly uneventful in terms of good, encouraging things to write. Instead I've been dealing with a very nasty tummy bug, working on conference admin and trying to sort out my car insurance (still not resolved). Oh and I did get to go to a lovely birthday party!
But let me tell you about a little boy called Sawana. My guess is that Sawana is 4 years old. He comes to Mapheo, the project helping vulnerable children, with his sister. His sister, Mafohle takes care of a number of small children. She brings them to Mapheo and to church. Until a few weeks ago Sawana would just play very quietly and solemnly by himself. Then one week we had some new toys - little farm animals. I don't know how but he suddenly opened up. He played with me and Mojalefa (another little one) with the animals all afternoon. Making them walk all over my back. That was the first time I saw him smile and have fun. Since then each week at Mapheo I have tried to play with Sawana for part of the time. He still tends to play on his own, but is ready with his gorgeous smile when you talk to him. This Thursday we got the farm animals out again, and again he loved playing with them. But he never initiated anything until tonight.
At the end of church I was chatting to a friend when who should come running up to me, arms up for a hug? Sawana! I couldn't believe it - he'd actually sought me out and obviously thinks I'm a safe bet for a cuddle now :-) His little face smiling and his giggles as I tickled him have literally made my week. God is so good. It's hard to explain just how emotional I am over this on a blog! This is just one of many stories of the children learning to enjoy playing with us and obviously finding safety at Mapheo. Each person who helps at Mapheo could tell you their own story of children who have opened up to them. It is amazing to watch the kids come alive and just enjoy being children.
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