You find out quickly that one thing is critical to
effectively distribute anything to 200 kids: organized stations. Today, at the
end of Day One, our little stations went like this (right after anxious and
ready-to-explode children were herded “swazi-style” into a group):
3.
Get picture taken in t-shirt
4.
Get personal card from your special friend
5.
Open Love Card from your special friend and; finally,
6.
Get a piece of candy after handing in your name tag (yeah, #6
was when the bomb went off)
My favorite station was number five. The Love Card.
This year, our Sponsorship Committee had each sponsor
(around 120 individuals, couples and families) have their picture taken while
holding a picture of their special Swazi friend. This was initially a daunting
task. But, thanks to our responsive sponsors and a huge tip of the hat to
Sponsorship Coordinator Dannele Alleman, all 169 cards, with pictures, were
completed. A personal message from the sponsor was also included inside each
card.
Dannele carried these cards close to her heart for many
weeks and finally, they were put into eager little hands.
And sponsors, we watched your arms became 8,000 miles long. You gave a great big hug to these girls and boys with your image and your words.
Children of all ages opened up envelopes, carefully slipped out that precious card and either collapsed in giggles or gawked in awe. And that was before they figured out their special friend was actually holding a picture of them! And then began another whole round of giggles and gawking.
And after that, they read those words that so many of you wrote. They read your words of encouragement to study hard and pray harder. They read your words about God and about love, which are, after all, pretty much the same thing no matter where you are in this world.
One Love = Lutsvando Lunye.
- Tara
