In honour of mother's day-I would like to write about a certain mom that I met last week in Bopolu. Ma Nella (I believe that is what her name is-that's how I heard it!), was a member of our CLP program starting in 2009. Through the CLP program she received rabbits to raise and sell as part of the small business aspect of the program. Two years later-and many rabbits later-Ma Nella has been able to sell some of her rabbits to help her son graduate from high school. She still has 7 very healthy and large rabbits too!
Ma Nella with her daughter. Behind her is her rabbit shelter that she built.
When I asked Ma Nella what she did with her rabbits-a huge smile came over her face as she proudly stated " I sold them to help my son graduate from high school." Mom's do a lot for their kids, sacrifice their time, their resources and many other things-but they do it because the love their kids. Ma Nella is a mom that loves her kids-and uses the training that she has received through the CLP program to help them have a better future. As a mom, I can say that all of us moms want our kids to have a better future-and we will do anything to help them-just like Ma Nella.
This morning, I stumbled out of bed and went into the kitchen to get my much needed morning coffee. Before I reached the kitchen, I could hear some clammering of dishes and little voices talking. As I walked in-I was welcomed with "MOM get OUT of the kitchen!!" So out I went-Felix brought me my coffee and soon I was summoned to the table for an amazing breakfast.
Felix, Mom and Isaac-with our marathon shirts! (Thanks to Adrian and Hayley Bell in the UK for getting me a shirt on e-bay-you guys are awesome!)
Ma Nella and I have one main thing in common-we are mom's and would do anything for our kids. I am so thankful for the CLP program who have helped mom's like Ma Nella-it has had a huge impact on her and her kids. What a great privilege to be a part of it!
This morning as we ate breakfast-Isaac and Felix told me what they like best about me...here are some of their answers:
Isaac- "You are a really, really good cook!"
Felix- "You can run really hard."
Isaac-"You are a good host."
Felix- "You play catch with me."
Both of them-"You are nice to other people!"
Isaac: "You teach me about God"
One of the things that makes me really proud as a mom is when I hear my boys talk about how they want to run or ask me if they can run a race with me. As I have stated before one of the many reasons I run is to be a good example to my boys-that they too will want to be active.
Seven years ago to the day-I was in Haiti, nervous, as I was about to become a mom to a little boy. As the great staff at God's Littlest Angels handed me a little pudgy, frowning, afro, little 14 month old named Exzaire-I was not sure what I had gotten myself into! However, it did not take me to long to realize that, like Ma Nella and her son, I would do anything for him-love him-and try and be the best mom I could for him. Isaac Exzaire Rhodes-adoption birthday is on mother's day the best gift I have ever been given!
Now, go phone your mom and tell her how much you love her and how thankful you are for her!
So, I somehow missed reading this post closer to mother's day... you made me cry, Bev! :) Love the marathon shirts!
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