It’s Not Far

It’s Not Far

September 12, 2019

We have learned in Africa that “it’s not far” is a relative term. If you are driving over dust pits that could swallow your car and dodging boulders and sharp rocks that could puncture a tire and crossing a bridge that was not made for cars then yes, it was far.
We took Jackson home yesterday.  What was supposed to be a short trip to Ngaramtoni just on the other side of Arusha turned out to be a long, harrowing trip into dry, desolate, thorn country.
We left Arusha and traveled all the way to Joshua’s village and up into the mountains on the far side of Mt. Meru. I thought we would break an axle or pop a tire on the sharp rocks. We kept asking the dad and granddad who were guiding us, “Are you sure cars travel this road?” When we came to a make shift bridge Kim’s comment was,” We’re done, nope not doing that.”  
With Granddad assuring her it could be done she decided to try it. She wanted everyone out of the cars while Emily directed the two cars across.
After what seemed like hours we arrived at Jackson’s new house where his new mom was waiting.
Kim is entering the house in the picture below.
Jackson’s dad had remarried after the death of his wife and was ready to take Jackson home. He had been talking with Angel our Social Worker and the Social Welfare Department and they finally decided it was time.
Jackson was shy about meeting his new mom.
He had been a big boy at Neema Village, telling everyone, I’m going home with my Dad. But about half way into the trip, while sitting on my lap he said, “Bibi Dorris, you’re staying with me, Ok?”  Stab my heart!
Just to tell you again how bad the road was when we finally arrived and stopped the car, the grandfather who had been riding with us said, “Let’s pray and thank God for our safe arrival.” This is the same grandfather who has three wives and 32 children and obviously like lollypops!
They had roasted a goat in appreciation of our keeping Jackson at Neema Village. We had to eat fast in order to make it back down the treacherous road before dark. Kim made quick work of that goat leg!
We had taken some new volunteers with us, Beth and Karly, (pictured above) with Emily and also Ashley and Hannah pictured below.
We were able to talk with his dad about schooling for Jackson. We told him Jackson is very smart and could be a doctor someday, but you must keep him in school.  Many Maasai boys spend their lives gaurding the family goats and never go to school. That is Napendaella, one of our teachers, talking with the Dad and Grandad about school.
Jackson cried when we left and so did we.
Jackson’s new home is a mud house as are most Maasai homes. We know the Maasai are on the whole happy people and a child who feels loved can certainly be happy in a mud hut. Social Welfare tells us you cannot keep a child from his family just because they are poor.
As Michael says we just have to trust God and do the next right thing!
But sometimes it is hard.
I love it that our babies go home with a song in their hearts. Click on the link below and see the cute video of Jackson singing, “Jesus Loves me This I Know.”
https://www.facebook.com/neemavillagearusha/videos/1377981982250587/