Toko Zonga

11-9-2008

Today we stopped at the market to try and get the clippers for the kids; we really don’t want to leave without getting them. Fortina runs up to us each morning, first to greet us, and then tell us that he doesn’t want a haircut. We must get the clippers.

While stopped at the market, Paul and Gabi were browsing and the rest of us were in our display case on four wheels. Of course a crowd gathered and a military officer offered his assistance; again to make us more “comfortable.” Frank was a real character and a bit erratic – he was very excited. Doug managed to get out of him that he was a Sergeant in the Army, but it was really hard to tell from his uniform – aside from the stripes on his sleeve, there weren’t many badges.

So Paul and Gabi came back to the Landcruiser and Corrinne decided that she wanted Frank’s necklace. She pointed at it and he gave it to her, which of course means that her Father is indebted to Frank not only for the necklace, but also for the protection! Paul wasn’t the happiest as he was running low on Francs and the smallest USD was a $20. Paul pulled out what little Francs he had and Frank seemed okay with the $4 in Congolese Francs, and then proceeded to celebrate the payday by yelling; drawing even more attention. He then insisted on taking a picture with Corrinne – at which point Corrinne said, “he’s a little creepy.” Shannin said it was alright and Rin got out of the Landcruiser for the photo. From the picture you can tell she is a little apprehensive and Frank is definitely showing his unique character.

Well, the photo certainly made Frank celebrate louder, drawing an even bigger crowd, so we quickly shoved everyone in the truck and sped away before it got more out of control. As we were speeding away Corrinne said, “okay, that was creepy.”

The building is nearing completion – I’d say we’re 90% of the way there. The electric tested out fine and is finished except for the replacement of a couple of bad switches. The painting is close to done as well, but no murial – this was too lofty a task, and will have to be saved for another day…or trip rather.

The kids actually spent their first night in the new building, tonight.

Since today was our last day, the staff prepared a special treat for us in dedication of the new building…traditional dancers. The whole community showed up and the cooks had roasted peanuts this morning for a special treat. John also carted in a freezer (with 4 other young men), hooked it up to the generator, and then loaded it with Orange Fanta and Coke – it was indeed a special day. These poor guys had to carry a 300lb. deep freezer for a mile just to have cold sodas. They were so hot and tired that they just sat down and put some of the remains of ice, from the freezer, on their heads.

The traditional dancers were absolutely amazing!! I have never seen such a performance; it was intoxicating. Doug and Paul filmed the whole thing so our friends and family can see it back home.

The kids also prepared some skits and performances for us. As Father Emery says, “the kids are going to animate now.” – he means perform, but his translation is more appropriate.

One of the skits was about where the kids came from – the streets. It featured them smoking (with real lit cigarettes although they didn’t inhale) and fighting while dressed in tattered clothes. It ended with them being redeemed by an authority figure and accepted into a much larger family which is the orphanage. We’re going to have to subtitle the film as most of the adults were laughing – it must have been quite good!

One of the pictures drawn by one of the orphans - to be used in the skit – was of a small child sent out in the morning by his menacing looking parent, to earn money. The script on the drawing indicates that if the child came back without earning any money then he or she wouldn’t get to eat. This is the picture that most of the kids came from.

I thought this picture, showing a united Africa and America through Christ, was neat as well.

It’s kind of sad…today we attempted to get some of the background stories on some of the kids, but there is so little information. Even when we asked the kids where they came from or who brought them, they couldn’t tell us. For most of the kids, we don’t know exactly how old they are, who their parents are or were, or what they came from. It would seem important for their sense of identity, but I suppose the most important thing is that they are truly in a better place.

As the day was winding down, the villagers left to the tin roofed and mud brick walled homes after having enjoyed the cold soda, peanuts, and entertainment. Some of the workers were hanging around as most knew this was our last day at the orphanage. We elected to distribute the last of what we had and gave our coveted shoes to those most deserving. The boys also parted with their shirts as we prepared to say goodbye.

It’s with a heavy heart that I try to describe for you what happened next. The sun had set, the dancers gone, and the kids and us milled about in near silence afraid of the wave of emotion that seemed to be welling up inside of us. The kids were uncharacteristically listless as they searched for an understanding of what was happening.

In this culture, those that cry are made fun of, and crying is reserved for only the hardest of moments, but Bala and Kiesse (two of the boys) had tears rolling down their cheeks knowing full well that we were about to depart. Amongst the hugs and attempts to console each other, the well of emotion just could not be held back any longer and we all sobbed – literally sobbed. You would have thought that we were attending a funeral as the kid’s cries were the only thing that could be heard in the still dark night.

Gabi tried to cheer the kids up, but they would not be comforted. Boys, Girls, and Adults all had tears in their eyes as we held each other. Gabi tried to get us to walk the kids over to the kitchen as it was time for the evening meal; once there the kids refused to eat. Paul gave a traditional African promise in which he drew a line on the ground, brought his finger across his neck, and pointed at the sky swearing by the earth, himself, and to God that Toko Zonga (we will return again). This did nothing to ease the pain and Gabi thought it best that we go after a brief word of prayer.

We started walking and despite that the kids had been ordered to stay and eat, they refused and followed slowly behind us. As we walked down the moonlit sandy road the crys of the children slowly faded away – it is so hard to leave them!

John and Yvonne also walked us out and after we crossed the river we stood there in a circle holding hands. Two countries represented, and despite an inability to communicate, we had become family. John held our hands and raised them up saying, “America in Africa.” Doug then started to sing They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love in which we all joined in. Then, Yvonne and John sang an African prayer for us as well – it was beautiful! John walked around the group hugging each one and began to sob. This was the first time that John hugged as Africans don’t do this. There is a traditional African greeting or farewell in which you touch heads 3 times alternating sides – if it’s truly heartfelt you will touch foreheads afterward for a brief pause.

Yvonne and John are such loving people and really care about the children; we know that the kids are in good hands.

This evening will not soon be forgotten. I've seen some who have little or nothing, and yet are happy; while those who have much, seem so miserable. The problems seem so big and insurmountable that we can't possibly make a difference, but in the mean time we’re going to just try and make sense in a senseless world – if only in a small way. We’re going to do our part with random acts of kindness and attempt to help just one. What if we all…

We came to Africa to make a difference in the world, and while we’ve done what we could, and will strive to do more, it is our lives that have been changed forever.