Those three simple words . . .

Obediah and Kefa

Today, two of the children said "I love you" to me. While you can hear these three words from your parents, your spouse, lover or a friend there is something indescribably powerful when a child says it to you. It makes it that much harder to think about leaving Faraja. Which is why I know that this experience is going to develop into a life long commitment. While I've always thought about the possibility of being a mother to biological children I now know in my heart that I am meant to take care of children that are already here. My sons and daughters are already living.

A bedroom at Faraja. One room has 13 girls, the other 13 boys

I never thought I would be able to cook for 32 children but thanks to cooking lessons with Omari, I'm able to do it and enjoy every minute of it! The kids give my bean soup great reviews. We had a chapati making party today and even got the kids involved. Chapati is similar to pita and we make it from water, wheat flour and salt. We make the dough and then slice it, roll it and fry it. Preparing, cooking and eating food together is an essential component to our Faraja family. Ester, a beautiful eight year old girl, who was responsible to roll out the dough for me, and I had a little food fight and laughed so hard we found ourselves on the floor covered in flour. We cleaned up before anyone noticed;)

Ester, Morra's youngest child

Momma is always trying to feed us but many times we make up excuses since we know food is low. Yesterday, she followed me down the hill with eggs telling me to take them and eat them so that I keep up my strength. Food pushers are universal, I used to think only Italian grandmas behaved that way.

I am teaching the kids how to make pizza next week, if Momma gives me the ok, of course. They tell me they have never had it but have heard of it and really want to taste it.