A Giving Heart

     The other day as we were in Lusaka for a quick overnight trip to restock on groceries and spend some time updating our blogs, the other interns and I were discussing how grateful we were for the Mamas in Chongwe and how wonderful they have been to us during our time there, truly taking us in as one of their children in every aspect. While discussing this, we decided we wanted to do something special for them to show them how thankful we were for all they have done for not only their own children, but for us, their additional children for the past several weeks. After contemplating a few different options, we decided we would make cupcakes for each of the Mamas, since they seemed to be such a hit at our Lusaka girl’s party a few weeks ago. We dedicated the morning to making the cupcakes in the office and then were on our way back to Chongwe to deliver these special treats and continue in our Camp Hope duties. When we arrived in Chongwe, we went house by house delivering the cupcakes to each of the Mamas. They were all unsurprisingly extremely grateful for their special treats and thanked us immensely for the cupcake treat they so rarely, if ever receive. I am constantly amazed at what simple things bring such joy and thanksgiving to the people here, bringing to life the command in the bible to be thankful in all circumstances.

     Later that night, as the kids in House 1 were finishing up dinner and doing some last minute studying before bed, Mama Anna called each of them over to her one by one. At first I was confused as to why she would be calling them over thinking maybe they had gotten in trouble for something until Andrew returned to continue our review session with a cupcake in his hand. Mama Anna had given each of her children some of her cupcakes before eating any of them for herself. She made sure each of her children enjoyed the special treat we had made for her before indulging herself. Not because she had to by any means. Not because she felt guilty. Simply because she wanted to. This woman has the biggest heart in the world and always puts others before herself, in literally every circumstance. She cares so deeply for her children, and that is so evident even in this small example of sharing her cupcakes. She could have so easily enjoyed all six cupcakes for herself without her children even knowing. In fact, that is what we fully intended for the Mamas to do when making them these treats. I am constantly challenged to be more like Christ because of the way Mama Anna lives her life so dedicated to serving the Lord, and I hope to one day be as good of a Mother as she is to these eight precious children she is so selflessly raising as her own.