Rocking Horses

It’s hard to imagine a child in the U.S. that doesn’t have a toy and doesn’t know how to play.  In Burkina Faso it is rare for a child to have a toy, and if you hand them one, they don’t know what to do with it. 

When we opened the play area for the children of the women who attend Tabitha House, we had several small soccer balls, a plastic toy train, some wooden shakers, a couple of wooden puzzles, some Play Dough and two crudely made banjos. The soccer balls were of the most interest until these arrived:

Through the generosity of donors, and the incredible craftsmanship of John Arnold and his apprentice, Joanna Gregg, two of these rocking horses were presented at Tabitha House several weeks ago.  The pictures do not do them justice in terms of their quality.  When John delivered the rocking horses, all of the women came out to see them.  Trying to decide who was most excited – the moms or the children – was hard to tell.  The moms couldn’t wait to put their children on the rocking horse and give it a try.  Most of them, adults and children, had never seen anything like this, and they love it!   There is never a moment when the rocking horses are out that there isn’t a child on it.  Many times, we have to go out to referee turns.  Not only are the horses fun but they help to teach the idea of sharing.  Fortunately when I’m out there trying to direct the kids, there is a little girl that is probably 5 years old that is my self-appointed helper.  She is so sweet, and very motherly.  She’ll  watch me for a minute to see what I’m trying to do and the next thing I know she’s got the little ones lined up and waiting their turn for the rocking horses.   When the day ends, the children bring them inside to make sure they are protected for the next time.  No one asked them to do that – they just realize how special they are.  You know those times when words can’t express the feeling?  – This is one of them.  There aren’t words to thank John, JoAnna and the others that helped for making these for the children.  

When I drive into the area where Tabitha House is located, there is usually a bunch of children waiting, yelling “white woman!”  They all want to shut the door for me, carry anything I’ve brought, and do the secret “Tabitha House” handshake.  It’s a simple high-five, low five, fist pound and hand explosion and then a big hug.  I don’t know how many times in a day I do that with them, over and over!  It amazes me that such a simple thing gives them so much happiness.  What I’ve also realized is that they like to make designs in the dust on my car.  There are little hand prints and drawings all over it when I leave.  If you are a clean-freak that doesn’t allow your children to touch the windows of your car – this is not the place for you!  

One of the women has three month old twins.  Lately, she hands me one of them to take care of.  The women know I love to hold the babies and be grandma-Dee Dee.  It makes me very happy that they finally feel comfortable enough to do that and realize that I am there to be one of them.

If you have a moment, we have several prayer requests: We have a woman whose husband just died of Aids, and she is HIV positive.  She was provided the money for initial testing on Monday and then we’ll find out what treatment is prescribed and go from there.  She didn’t have food, so that was also provided; In Burkina Faso, parents have to pay for their children to go to school.  We have about ten children that are not in school due to lack of funds; When we have prayer time for the women that are sick or have sickness in their family, it is usually half of the group that we are praying for.  During this time of the year, many of the children have bad colds, coughs and respiratory problems; And finally, we are in the process of researching micro-loans for sewing machines.  Betty Arnold gave us a fantastic idea – bring in a tailor to teach two or three women on Tuesdays and Thursdays when Tabitha House is closed.  When the women are properly trained, advance them a micro-loan of a new sewing machine.  As they begin to sell the items they sew, they repay the loan which in turn finances the next woman to have a sewing machine.  As you can see, there are many things to pray for.  Thank you for thinking of us.