Francois greets the ladies at the site of the new roadside shops.
We just pulled off the road and the cars stopped. We were told to get out. There was already something to see… new roadside shops constructed just last week by our Matara business people. We were immediately greeted by Bosco, showing his grocery shop. Then Benjamin showing his shoe repair shop and then the shop that would sell Matara soaps to the community at large. It was so great to see the expansion of their businesses right there on the street, but more exciting to reunite with friends we recognized – and who recognized us, too! Francois came down and instantly remembered Anna and Martha!
Anna and Martha reunite with friends.
As we walked further in, we found all the mamas waiting to embrace us. Anna and Martha found familiar faces right away, and you could hear Anna saying, “we told you we’d come back, we told you we’d come back.’ Promises kept are sweet… and extra powerful on this soil.
Bosco breaking out into a song of greeting.
Bosco broke into impromptu song, leading the others. The song made us all smile and sway – and cry when it was translated. ”Welcome to the mountain of love.” They sang it over and over, as if to soak our hearts in that love, in the truth of the great love that has shaped them over the past three years.
There is too much goodness to capture in one post, but here are two other highlights. Our women were invited, for the first time, to help make pots with their Batwa friends. I think there were squeals of excitement when they learned that the opportunity was extended to them by their friends…
Forming friendships and pots!
Carol and Sarafina talk clay.
Martha and Godis work side by side.
Delphine tries to help Sherry save her pot!
Leonie is proud of the handiwork she and Anna created together.
Then there was the annual Matara tradition – the color palooza with the families! Everyone gets in the action once the coloring books and crayons come out…
Mamas color…
Papas color…
Children color, too!
Coloring everywhere they can… Carol, too!
Anna is surrounded… everyone with crayons in hand.
So much goodness in one day, it is hard to do it all justice. When you go up the mountain of love you know how you feel when you come down – loved! We are all drenched in love – and cannot wait to return tomorrow. Maybe we’ll actually get some work done… lol!