Reminiscing…

Working FUGE camps for 3 years, I've learned a few things. One, you need to remember the things that happen and two you need to remember the things people say. Usually it's hilarious. So at camp we have a Say What and a Remember When poster. I came up with the idea to do the same thing here while in South Africa because let me tell you, some hilarious things happen when you are around kids. So here is some insight to funny things that have happened since I've been here. 

SAY WHAT!?

The toddlers, after every prayer we sing for their eating times, say as loud as they can AMEN. They don't worry about singing the prayer. They only thing they worry about is saying AMEN! And they don't just say it, they shout it. (I'm totally doing this from now on).

We were marrying off the babies to each other one day. Just saying who would grow up and get married to the other. An Auntie informed me that sick babies have to grow up and marry sick babies. (What in the world?)

Also, we all come up with occupations the babies will have when they grow up. We have several pastors and deacons. A few pastors wives, a rugby player, a game warden, a few dancers, singers, comedian, teachers and a stay at home mom. These kids futures are so bright it hurts our eyes!

In toddles, we have Bible story time and if the Bible story is longer than one page the Auntie just says "Ok, Bible Story time is OVER." Seriously? The kids just thinks Daniel stayed in the lions den. They have to know what happens next!

Auntie phrases are:

 "You know what they call?"

"Eh, Eh, Eh, Eh, Eh,"

"What, What, What, What"

"You, You, You, You"

"That boy."

"Yes, Love"

(These are just a few I could remember.)

When you ask the toddlers what color something is they always say purple. (No idea why, I'm pretty sure we took purple completely out of the colors we teach them only because they think everything is purple. Maybe we should get their eyes checked or stop letting them watch Barney.)

When we say "Knock, knock, knock" all the toddlers run to the door and knock on it. Then we have to start singing "Show Them". That means they have to dance. What a joy it is to see a two year old boggie down better than someone my age. Some serious bootie dancing happens. 

REMEMBER WHEN!?

It rained all day and that night we decided to walk to the Glen to watch a movie. As we were walking to the movies I said to the girls "Guys, be careful it's really slippery here." As soon as they came out of my mouth I did a split in the middle of the food court. Good grief.

Unmatched socks around here are the norm.

If we hear a baby cry, we all try to figure out who it is. (Usually we're right. It's a really weird game.)

I've broken a few things since I've been here…like the TV, a few dishes and the washing machine. (Seriously Amanda! Pull yourself together.)

One of the Aunties left the tub running one day and flooded the down stairs. (Real life people, real life.) (Try mopping up a flood…ain't gonna happen.)

One night we thought it would be a good idea to walk in the pouring rain to the Glen to see a movie. (Horrible idea) (Rain bullets to the face isn't pleasant and not worth any movie in my opinion) 

When two of the volunteers wanted to go bungee jumping from the Orlando Towers in Soweto, I was like, "Yeah that sounds fun, lets go". So we went, and paid to ride the lift up the side of the tower. I knew I was scared of heights, I just didn't know how bad. I basically crawled into a ball, on the floor and rocked back and forth having a legit panic attack. I might have cried a little too and also asked how long we had to stay up there…every couple of seconds. (I was never more happy to see the ground in my life)

I've gotten kissed by an elephant. (Well, that's a kiss I won't forget. He was 17.)

In Africa, all you can do is question your life. 

I've seen too many turds floating in a tub to last me a lifetime. 

Our pool is currently un-swimable (I totally just made up that word.) (The bold red line underneath is telling me so.) Seriously, looking at it I feel as if I'm catching a disease. So….we volunteers took it upon ourselves to break out the kiddie pools when its really hot and just sit in them. We get a kiddie pool to ourselves so it's pretty nice.

We made friends with the KFC delivery guy. (This is just sad.)

I've never been peed on, puked on, sneezed on, coughed on or yes, even pooped on more in my life. It's just the norm and you learn how strong you really are. 

I noticed a few days ago I've got grey highlights in my hair. 

One of our babies imitates a native bird here so well. I'm pretty sure she has heard the bird from outside her window and now she makes the sound all the time. It's quite hilarious actually. (YouTube Hadidas.)

Playing Phase 10 with 8 people is pointless. 

You can NEVER watch too many episodes of Friends. 

These are only a few of the hilarious things that have happened since I've been here. Yes, they are probably one of those "You had to be there kind of moments" but I just wanted to share them with you anyway.