Today started with a somber quiet undertone. Most of us were eating breakfast and getting ready for the day as usual, yet it was clear there was a sense of anticipation in the air.

 

We loaded the vehicles and started off for Barek Aub.  As we approached the village, I was amazed how large the village was and how much development I was seeing – and how excited and joyous we all instantly became.  A picture that will be etched forever in my heart will be a small group of children waving and smiling to us from the corner before we turned into the clinic.  One of the small girls was sitting in a tipped over wheelbarrow with a smile from one ear to the other with anticipation.  As we turned the corner, several of the village elders and staff were waiting for us on the clinic steps where we swiftly exited the cars in eagerness.

 

As we began our tour of the clinic I saw colorful curtains making rooms bright and cheerful, toshaks which made conference rooms welcoming and warm, and staff willing and waiting to help and assist.  This clinic has 9 staff members who provide basic services such as vaccinations, testing, community outreach, CDE training, and counseling.   They average 20-30 patients a day and celebrate many exciting moments such as delivering two healthy babies just last month!  Although this clinic had many of the same elements that we have seen in other Basic Health Care facilities, in this specific clinic in Barek Aub, you felt a great sense of hope and peace. 

 

After touring the clinic we drove over to the school.  Before we could even open the doors to the trucks we were immediately greeted by an overwhelming ocean of smiles and eager eyes.  We walked up toward the doors and could not even make it inside due to our inability to concentrate on anything else other than the children.  As one of the many teachers on the team, this was the main experience many of us were anticipating and we were not let down by any means.  If I were to explain the experience in one word I would call it a “whirlwind” – the next 30 minutes were an incredible whirlwind of games, talking, laughter, kids rapidly approaching, and emotions.  The men on the team roughhoused with the boys while the ladies of the team played “hand” games like “paddy cake” and “cat’s cradle” with the girls.  I tried to capture some of these moments by tracing their precious handprints on paper and recording names and faces with my camera.  Only God could come up with names like Waisodin, Salira, Sonja, and Nilfi  (I apologize for the misspelling of these beautiful names). 

 

We eventually made it inside the school and observed students and teachers in the many classrooms which consisted of nothing more than desks, a chalkboard, the students, and a teacher.  Unfortunately we were able to spend only a few more moments with the students and sadly had to say goodbye to those we had bonded with so quickly.

 

After bidding a fond farewell to the kids, we drove about a half-mile to the homes that were being built for Barek Aub’s widows, orphans, and disabled.  These stark but beautiful homes will be provided free of charge to the village’s most needy and consist of two rooms, space for cooking, a separate bathroom, and they’re even pre-wired should electricity someday become available. The homes have small trees already planted around the premises by other FCC teams and offer their new owners amazing potential and promise.  It was heart filling to see homes being made for those whom God is most passionate towards.

 

We then walked to the main water well for the village – a 150-meter deep lifeline that has been flowing abundantly for more than two years despite early estimates to the contrary.

 

After we loaded up the vans once again and said goodbye to Barek Aub, we left with the knowledge that this would not be the last time we would see this place or its beautiful children.  The lyrics of one of my favorite songs says it perfectly:  “God is indescribable, uncontainable, all powerful and he is an amazing God who places the stars in the sky and knows them all by them.”  This star’s name is Barek Aub!

 

To give the guest house staff an evening off, we ended our day with dinner at a nearby Lebanese restaurant that provides outdoor seating and even had a projection TV showing the world cup game between the Netherlands and Slovakia.  As we dined, the cool evening breezes provided some much needed relief from the stifling heat of the day and allowed us to enjoy some great sharing time with a team from Kentucky whom we now consider our extended family.  We were enjoying our time so much that we almost forgot where we were until two very loud military helicopters streaked overhead – a sobering reminder of life beyond the walls of the restaurant.

 

We then retreated for tea, cake and fellowship at the home of some friends living in the Kabul area.  We enjoyed hearing about their ongoing work in Afghanistan and sharing cares and concerns and praying for many of the obstacles that exist there.

 

It was a long day, but a fabulous day.  We were blessed to spend some time building relationships with the children and amazing family that will continue to grow in a small village in Afghanistan called Barek Aub. I went today ready to capture the precious handprints of the Barek Aub children, but they will forever leave their handprints on my heart.

In closing I’d like to share two versus that kept running through my head today and as we made our journey back to Kabul:

 

Romans 12:10  Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

Jeremiah 29:11  For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

We don’t know his plans, but the amazing things we saw today in Barek Aub can reassure us that He is in control and we are only the a single ax in our mighty woodman’s plan.  We need only to keep chipping away together at his work and His will, will be done.

 

--Holly