The Day in Kakabay

Yesterday Thomas and I returned to the village of Kakabay with some of our team. We came bearing gifts of rice for each family and snacks for the children. However we received a greater gift when the children sang for us. Words can not communicate what filled our hearts as the melody of their voices filled the air. I was one of four women who came to teach at the small school there. I was first in the classroom when the afternoon session gathered and some of the children just started singing. I didn’t understand the words as they were in their language but I was so blessed by the songs in their hearts. The children understand very little English despite the fact that they know some songs in English. The teacher, Nanette, translated for us. The school just started in June so even the 12-year-olds are at a kindergarten level at best. The young boy, Adrian, I assisted was burning with fever. The teacher said his whole family is sick with fever. Fever and skin rashes are widespread here. Most of the children have runny noses and mouths with severely decayed teeth. They do have a pump well but no bathrooms, or CRs (Comfort Rooms) as they call them here. I have never been to such an impoverished area. The needs are so great it is easy to feel overwhelmed.

Lisa

I agree with Lisa that the most remarkable memory from yesterday’s visit was when the children sang to us. The video is unable to impart the impact we felt within us.

I was also blessed to be able to spend some time talking with a man I had met and prayed with on Saturday, Robwan. (Unfortunately, I did not get pictures of Robwan.) He is 53 years old and has suffered a stroke. It has reduced his strength in his left side and made talking difficult for him. He moved to Kakabay about 30 years ago and found that life was much easier there than where he had lived before. He and his wife raised their 10 children in the village. He raises chickens and turkeys. They also have a convenience store in their home. They sell prepackaged snacks, individual packets of Milo and instant coffee, pop, candy, and sugar. The men from our group prayed again for Robwan’s healing.

Several from our group were also able to attend the funeral of a local man who had committed suicide. He leaves behind his wife and 6 children. Suicide is always devastating, but I can only imagine what this means for this family. Before we left the village, the funeral procession passed with several men carrying the casket and the family walking behind.

Leaving was not a simple matter for us. Because of the condition of the roads which were worsened by recent rain, our truck was not able to get out of the village. Men from the village pushed. They put wooden planks down in the mud for traction. Children gathered rocks from the stream to put in the mud also. Finally, we were able to get up the hill and make our way out. One teammate wept as we drove out to the main road, overwhelmed by what she had experienced.

On the way home, we stopped at a bakery to buy some food. Our whole group, 32 adults and children, had been invited to someone’s home for dinner. It was a wonderful time of fellowship with their family. The fried chicken was excellent too.

Grace,
Tom

p.s. Sorry, it appears that after 2.5 hours of uploading, the video isn't going to play nice. I will work to get it on the blog first thing tomorrow morning. It represents an incredible memory for us.