Overwhelmed

Yesterday was the 2^nd annual Project Canaan Academy talent show and I was overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed with joy that led to tears flowing down my face, that seemed unstoppable.

You know that moment as a parent or family member who watches a child perform something on stage that they have been preparing for weeks, practicing lines, going over dance moves, or trying to remember their positions?  I had that moment over and over again.

There were poems, ribbon dancing, singing and Swazi dancing, all followed by wild cheering from the proud Aunties, Uncles, teachers and visitors in the audience.

But there were a few acts that specifically brought tears to my eyes.  First, it was our Pre-Kindergarten children who did a waltz!!  It was the cutest thing ever, especially with Deborah actually spinning Timothy rather than the other way around. 

Then there were “Emseni 5” kids with an incredibly well choreographed dance to the “Waka Waka” (It’s time for Africa) song, which brought the house down.  It’s almost as much fun to watch the Aunties and Uncles jumping, dancing and clapping for joy as is it to watch the children on stage. But it certainly is the children that bring joy to my heart, and tears to my eyes.

Students from teacher Leanna’s Kindergarten class performed a “signing dance” to the Kari Jobe version of “Revelation Song”, and that just took me out.  Tears poured down my face as I tried to keep smiling so that the kids didn’t think I was sad. 

Being a proud parent of Spencer and Chloe has brought many tears of joy as they have performed in musical theater and other performance art events.  Now that we have 193 more who we see living and thriving and overflowing with joy, I think I am going to have to drink a lot more water during the day to stay hydrated through my tears of joy that fall.

Thank you to each and every one of you who supports Heart for Africa and the work we are doing to love these children back to life and prepare them to be the future of the Kingdom of Swaziland and the Kingdom of God.

Thank you also to the 65 people who have already purchased diapers and wipes. In one short week we have received 272 boxes or 18% of what we need for the next year!  I encourage you to go to http://bit.ly/hfadiaperdrive today and purchase much needed diapers and wipes for our babies. 

Live from Swaziland … my heart is full.

Janine