I've been starting at this blinking cursor on a blank page for over 30 minutes, because, truth be told, I don't know where to start. How does one start? How do you begin to tell the story of this place? A place filled with hundreds of stories--THOUSANDS of stories?

How. Do you. Begin?

Light in Africa, the place that solidified my desire to want to go on this trip from the moment I read it on the syllabus, was founded in 2000, by Lynn Elliot. Mama Lynn, as she is now called had never been to Africa, never imagined going there, until she heard a voice from God telling her to go, "and the rest is history."

As outlined in the itinerary , the writers and actors who traveled to the North were invited to "lead workshops and volunteer at Light in Africa, a large, internationally-recognized orphanage (fondly referred to as a “Children’s Village”) called home by hundreds of children unable to seek refuge at any of the country’s other shelters, mainly because they are living with HIV and/or severe disabilities." 

The children we worked with all ranged on a spectrum of their ability levels, a new perspective DAT had work with.

This was, without a doubt, one of the most life changing experiences of my twenty-two years! 

Mama Lynn, just the thought of her brings tears to my eyes. She is the most inspiring, God-fearing, Holy Ghost-filled woman I have EVER had the pleasure of meeting.

The children under her care are clearly loved and cared for. They are being taught life skills that are invaluable and make the children marketable in their future.  And Mama Lynn is just a personification of God's love for them.

Watching the Red Cast perform their plays.

Despite the look on my face, they are very talented. 

"Jina langu Ariana. Na wewe ni nani?"

"My name is Ariana. What is your name?" 

Playing with the children underneath the parachute. 

 Drawing and playing with stickers!

Precious Lucy greeting me with Shikamoo,

a sign of respect towards elders.

For children who cannot verbally say it, like Lucy, who is mute,

the right palm to a the top of the head is the equivalent.