I realised I haven’t talked much about all the children recently who visit us most afternoons after school. And, as the title suggests, it is indeed Madness!
There are so many local children who generally play in the streets after school. Some have small bikes, skipping ropes or balls, but mostly they just play together in groups which is lovely. Normally about 2 minutes after we arrive home we hear a familiar tap tapping on our gate and the war cry,
“Chris… Hattie… Open the gate!”
This cry is repeated for as long as it takes someone to decide to go and let them in! Alternatively, if the gate is open, we will find a group of children at our door, or windows saying,
“Knock Knock… Hi… Knock knock!”
Usual persuits of entertainment are singing, dancing, drawing, sticking, face painting, playing football, asking for balloons, and once a giant water fight organised with military planning on our part! All the children love taking photos and seeing themselves on digital cameras. Invariably, if we start off with one or two children, after about 5 minutes we will have most of the kids from the area appearing over the wall, at the gate or running from whatever they were doing at break neck pace to be in on the fun at our house! And as well they all have such amazing names. Blessings, Mpo, Happiness etc.
It will be so strange back in England to not have any little wood pecker type tappings on the gate, little voices in English or otherwise calling us, or demands to open the gate, do face painting, or requests for juice!
Kids, I might sometimes complain and want peace, but really I’ll miss you all loads! Who wants to come to England with me? I’m sure you all want to adopt an adorable African child or 2… or 10… or 20…! Oh and a dog!
Hi Demelza,
Sorry your comment took ages to appear, my fault. Hopefully next time you write somewhere on here, it’ll show up right away!
Joy, I do pay tax! I may well have a right to reclaim it since I’m sure I don’t earn anything like my personal allowance, but I assure you I have for the time being, forfeited the base rate of income tax at the very least, due on payment for participation in university open days. It’s an urban myth that students don’t pay tax. Don’t forget VAT!
You do have a point though. Michael and I advocate for one another. Since he has to pay big fat tax contributions every year, I think it’s only fair he know what happens to his money.
Love ya really Joy!
Darren, You’re such a snich!!! With all those banks spending loadsa good old tax-payers money, and you focus on little me simply taking some time out from a busy day to contact my friend. Anyway, you can’t comment, you don’t even pay tax and I do!!!
Dear nic. Sorry for my quietness but here I am and ready to defend myself. African dress and jewelery is so pretty, i can’t wait to see all your acquisitions. And yes lets face it you have always beaten me on the girly front, though it must be admitted i am collecting a rather scary number of shoes! I think lois’s girliness is rubbing off on me. It sounds like you are going to have a very big bag coming home what with jewelery, twenty or so children and a dog. Puts the dude caught by customs carrying two live pigeons into perspective. However big the bags it will be good to have you home and see you, that is once michael has put you down. Isn’t it amazing how God cares about every little part of our lives. I am so glad you are tangibly aware of his presence and how precious you are to him. I wait in excitement to see how he will continue to use you, the skills you took to Africa and the ones you have gained there. All my love and hugs Nay The Logical!
Hi Hun, hope your not mad at me for the little joke I played on you, instead of bringing a child back with you, do you think you could bring me back an indie anna jones hat for my dad?
Joy! Naughty naughty! How dare ye use an internet connection funded by the honest British tax payer for recreation. I’m appalled!
You can’t deny it either for our records show that the computer through which your comment came on its way to the outside world, resides at gateway-101.energis.gsi.gov.uk.
Very good to hear from you! Possibly a bit too late to form a joint protest against all things girly, but I guess it’s the thought that counts…
Hi honey,
I’m glad your having a great time and I’m missing you like crazy. Is Michael fully aware of just how broody you’ve become? Does the dog in South Africa bear any resemblance to Billy?