Cheshire Childrens Home

Yesterday we had the privilege of serving with angels. We spent four hours at Cheshire Children's Home, a Catholic run home at for disabled children. One of the members of the Lusaka Branch arranged for the Lusaka West Zone missionaries to help with an activity for these children. The Zone Leaders invited some of the senior missionaries to attend with them. There were 1O Elders, 2 Sisters and 2 senior couples who participated with various other volunteers from the community. The children were ages 6-14, so we were told. However, we later learned that one sassy young lady, who was no bigger than a three year old, (if that big) was actually 16. She was as cute as could be and had quite the attitude. It was fun to watch her try to keep a stern face, only to be ambushed by a huge smile when Elder Bodily pretended he was going to tickle her.

This is Kabwe.  There is another picture later where we got her to smile.

 

 

Many other children had various, fairly severe handicaps. There were those in wheelchairs with obvious deformities to their legs or spines. Some were mobile through the aid of a walker. Several seemed mentally impared. Others looked to be suffering from the effects of cerebral palsy. One had only one leg, another had no legs. Those who could walk had legs that were deformed and walked with much effort. There was an adult attendant there who had no hands. A cheerful nun informed us that these children are being taught to be as independent and self sufficient as possible. The goal of the school is to help them become a contributing member of the community. Unfortunately, many children with such deformities and handicaps are an embarrassment to their families and are kept hidden away in their homes. When they are discovered it is often too late to try and rehabilitate them.

When we first arrived at the school we passed out soda pop to these lovely children. They were so delighted! They wanted more. They knew which kind they wanted and how to communicate that to us. There was tons of soda pop and the children had no problem consuming it just about all, even though we tried to stall them.

After the drinks we helped these children get to a bounce house that had been set up on the property.  We were touched to see a child, who looked to me like he needed a wheelchair himself, pushing an even less mobile friend in a wheelchair. That kind of service between the children was a common sight.
 

One girl in a wheelchair was holding a soda bottle to the lips of her friend, who was also in a wheelchair and apparently not blessed with the use or control of any of her limbs.  We marveled that these children have so little temporally and physically, yet they still serve one another. What Christ like beings!

At the bounce house we had so much fun watching these children act like almost normal kids. Actually their joy seemed to surpass that of normal children as they bounced and rolled into one another, laughing and experiencing a degree of mobile freedom. There were huge smiles on their faces and delight in their eyes.

They were having the time of their lives!

















Peter, the boy with no legs, entertained us with flips, summersaults and handstands as he sped around the bounce house. What a talented athlete he was!

He'd bounce himself right on top of a bounce house lower wall and then comfortably rested.

 

 

When he wanted to get some place other than the bounce house he joyfully rode on the back of a specific volunteer, hanging on with his arms around his neck. The love between Peter and this particular volunteer was so obvious to all. These kids were in heaven as various volunteers and missionaries interacted with them.

After the bounce house the children were treated to a live band and dancing. Many could barely walk, but when it came to dancing they could follow the beat and move to it. Even those in wheelchairs bounced to the beat or had someone bounce their wheelchair to the beat. Some, like Peter, danced as a volunteer held them in their arms. They are Africans and rhythm is in their blood. One young man with Downs Syndrome was a remarkable, excellent dancer. It was fun to watch him. 
We  wondered how he learned to do his moves so well? The children and volunteers all had a glorious time. It was a true celebration for us all.

The girl on the left danced and walked on her knees. We don't know how she did it on the rough concrete


Finally our little friends were served by the volunteers a generous helping of cooked lunch, followed by yummy cake. Being at this facility with the children and other volunteers was beautiful and delightful. The event was a Christmas party a generous benefactor has been providing for these children for the past five years. It seems that it was a Christmas gift to us as well. On reflection of this service it feels like we volunteers were the actual receivers and the children were the ones giving to us. They showed us the face of our Savior.  We felt immense gratitude that these children would come to earth under what appears to be such undesirable circumstances to teach us profound truths about love, gratitude and having having a cheerful heart and attitude in all circumstances. The Spirit was felt so strongly that more than one of us struggled to hold back the tears.