Cows (finale)

Well, it took us about one hour to arrive at the village of Murissa. When we arrived, these two kids announced our arrival by beating on these drums. You can feel the excitement in the air. People started coming from all over. The cows were unloaded with minimal chaos.

Even the local school let out and all of the kids joined us.

Once some last minute deworming medicine was given,

we were off to "tea". We all had to wash our hands before entering. The ladies were so generous and kind to serve us so sweetly.

After tea we all joined in the church to continue the celebration.

Once the ceremony was complete, we set off to draw numbers from a hat. Each piece of paper had one of the cow's number. I'm not exactly sure how they decided which woman drew first. Everyone was crowding around so tightly, I chose to move to a different vantage point. It was just beginning to sprinkle a bit and people were so excited.

This was one woman who received a cow. Her name is Juliet.

This is another recipient, her name is Rosette. You might remember that this cow is a bit "spirited" and I'm guessing it'll take her a few days to get used to her new owner. Rosette was not getting closer for the picture. She was cautious but so excited.Here are all five women who received a cow. It's so amazing to know that these cows have changed their lives for the better in a huge way. Thank you to those who gave to provide the cows.

After the ladies received their cows, we visited with the kids mostly while we waited for lunch. You have no idea how much African children are enthralled by our kids. I think it's one thing to see a Muzungu (white person) adult but something much more exciting to see a Muzungu child. For many of the school children, this was probably the first time they had ever seen a white kid. They were constantly trying to touch their arms or hair. Dara and Dade help up for a little while and could stand it no more. I was trying to let the children know they could touch my hands and hair, but not the kids. Some of them got the message. While the children were singing for us, Dara and Dade found a mound of dirt to play on.
It didn't take long for the kids to find them. Dara and Dade ended up running into the church to hide there. The kids just followed. I felt like a mother hen trying to shield her chicks from the outside world. Lou (a short termer here with us) helped me lead the kids in some songs they knew and some they didn't. Dara and Dade were in the middle of all them sitting on a bench. Finally, an older student helped the younger ones know not to touch their arms and hair. It wasn't easy on my kids, but they made it through. There may not look like many kids in the pictures but there were well over 100.
After singing and playing a game with them, we had lunch. I wish I could have taken a picture of Dade. He ate three pieces of chicken - one of them was a neck! I couldn't believe Joel handed it to him, but I was so impressed when Dade tore into it like it was KFC. I wish you could have seen him, I was so proud!

As we were loading up to leave, the ladies presented our team with beautiful vegetables and fruit. It was what they had to give us to say "thank you". It was a great day. May God get all the glory!