Christian's Haven is one of those places that once you leave, it feels like a dream. There is this sense of wholeness and healthiness and happiness there.
There are three big families at CH. The girls, the big boys and the little boys. We got to eat meals at each of their houses, and spend some time learning all their names, and getting to know them a bit. I loved each experience, but in the end, I think my funniest memories will be with the little boys.
We were eating lunch with them our last day, and there just so happened to be watermelon for desert. Funny how Amber and I were at opposite ends of the big long table, but we both got the same idea at the same time. I mean let's be real here, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see all those big, black, shiny seeds in that juicy slice of watermelon?
So we got all the boys (16 actually) to collect five seeds each. I really think they thought we were crazy, especially when we tried to explain to them what we were planning to do. I had just recently learned both the Cebuano words for spit and vomit, so I don't deny the possibility I may have gotten them mixed up in the explanation. Nonetheless, they seemed to be up for a game, so we left all the rest of the meal where it was and tramped outside and got everybody lined up with their heels against the wall so it was fair.
I kid you not, the whole time the competition lasted I was doubled over laughing my head off. It was funny how the length the boys were able to spit seemed to have a direct correlation to their height. The cutest thing was one little boy with all his front teeth missing. Hard as he tried, and no matter with what gusto, every time he spit the seed just dropped politely down at his feet. Jason, one of the older boys, made us howl with laughter because just as somebody was winding up for it, he'd make a big spattering spitting noise which of course made them laugh so hard their seed sputtered out only a few feet away.
Later on, Amber and I were sitting with 4 of the little boys, and they decided to teach us a game. It was supposed to be concentration, but each of us was an animal name. So as you're clapping your hands and legs you say your animal, and then somebody else's, etc...
I must attribute my blunder to momentarily mixing up the Cebuano for Cat. Regardless of the cause, all at once, all the boys were clamoring "Kinsa'y imong crush? Kinsa'y imong crush?" "Oh my goodness, I think it's truth or dare now," I said, turning to Amber, who was laughing as hard as I was. The next time somebody messed up, they asked them their preference: trut or dear? I never ceased to be entertained by their dares. One dare was the boy had to take a chair and sit about 20 feet away and play from there. Another time, I had to touch a cat. I touched the cat and looked back to see if there was more to it, but they just kept playing so I'm assuming I really only did have to touch it. I just can't tell you how much I enjoyed that game. There is something so special about playing a game with people of a different race, language, culture, gender, age, and socio-economic background. Because you simply forget you have any differences at all.
There are three big families at CH. The girls, the big boys and the little boys. We got to eat meals at each of their houses, and spend some time learning all their names, and getting to know them a bit. I loved each experience, but in the end, I think my funniest memories will be with the little boys.
We were eating lunch with them our last day, and there just so happened to be watermelon for desert. Funny how Amber and I were at opposite ends of the big long table, but we both got the same idea at the same time. I mean let's be real here, what is the first thing that comes to your mind when you see all those big, black, shiny seeds in that juicy slice of watermelon?
So we got all the boys (16 actually) to collect five seeds each. I really think they thought we were crazy, especially when we tried to explain to them what we were planning to do. I had just recently learned both the Cebuano words for spit and vomit, so I don't deny the possibility I may have gotten them mixed up in the explanation. Nonetheless, they seemed to be up for a game, so we left all the rest of the meal where it was and tramped outside and got everybody lined up with their heels against the wall so it was fair.
I kid you not, the whole time the competition lasted I was doubled over laughing my head off. It was funny how the length the boys were able to spit seemed to have a direct correlation to their height. The cutest thing was one little boy with all his front teeth missing. Hard as he tried, and no matter with what gusto, every time he spit the seed just dropped politely down at his feet. Jason, one of the older boys, made us howl with laughter because just as somebody was winding up for it, he'd make a big spattering spitting noise which of course made them laugh so hard their seed sputtered out only a few feet away.
Later on, Amber and I were sitting with 4 of the little boys, and they decided to teach us a game. It was supposed to be concentration, but each of us was an animal name. So as you're clapping your hands and legs you say your animal, and then somebody else's, etc...
I must attribute my blunder to momentarily mixing up the Cebuano for Cat. Regardless of the cause, all at once, all the boys were clamoring "Kinsa'y imong crush? Kinsa'y imong crush?" "Oh my goodness, I think it's truth or dare now," I said, turning to Amber, who was laughing as hard as I was. The next time somebody messed up, they asked them their preference: trut or dear? I never ceased to be entertained by their dares. One dare was the boy had to take a chair and sit about 20 feet away and play from there. Another time, I had to touch a cat. I touched the cat and looked back to see if there was more to it, but they just kept playing so I'm assuming I really only did have to touch it. I just can't tell you how much I enjoyed that game. There is something so special about playing a game with people of a different race, language, culture, gender, age, and socio-economic background. Because you simply forget you have any differences at all.
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