filled with {joy}

The clouds loomed over our heads while the fog grew thicker as we climbed up the muddy path in four wheel drive.  Butterflies whirled around my gut and not just from my Traveling Man’s determination to go through every puddle we found.  As water and mud splashed over the top over our SUV, I tried not to bite anxiously at my nails.

I could not help but think of all the friends around the world who purchased and gave and encouraged and… And I wanted the day to be perfect.

It quickly became apparent that any worry was silly because these children, though shy at first, were delighted by the simple fact that we came.  As we pulled little tubs of Play-dough from our bags like Santa and his elves, their eyes did not light up with excitement.

Not because they were ungrateful, but because of the simple fact that they had never played with such a precious thing.  As we talked about our dough being similar to their mother’s bread dough, the excitement in the room began to build.  They squished and patted and puckered up their faces in determination…

There was a happy buzz of encouragement from us as little tables and chairs, bowls of fruit, and desks with students sitting in them began to take shape…

No tiny detail was forgotten in the tea pots and miniature tea glasses either.

And while they worked we kept peeking out the door… still misting outside.  Our photography project was looking less and less likely…

But we forged forward with the hope that the sun would soon smile it’s happy face upon us.  As the play dough was set aside we filled tiny cups with nuts and dried fruits and even a few chocolates as a little treat.

Our first assignment was to form simple shapes… just to get them warmed up to the idea of food being art…

And then they began to make something that was special to them.  Oh, how I wish I could share each one of their creations with you!  Little houses, mothers, best friends… there were so many special things to represent with their little raisins and almonds!

We were surprised by their eagerness to create something so personal, but thrilled by their excitement!

Next we allowed ourselves to be silly a bit as we acted out a story book together…

But as they listened to our sweet friend read about rain, they laughed and pretended with us as we swam deep seas, drank from an elephant’s watering hole, and even splashed in muddy puddles.

In spite of the sun’s stubbornness, the mist began to dissipate and we ran outside to snap a few photos.  It did not escape our notice that none of the children had ever taken a photo before… and might not again.  But none of us really minded.  It was a moment meant to inspire and I think we did just that.

Some snapped away quickly with a click, click, click while others took their time, carefully peeking through the window and holding their camera just so.

By the end of our time it seemed that all shyness had been replaced with  joy.  They were encouraged to know that we would return and with happy faces they waved at our vehicles as we began to bump along the muddy path back to town.  We were all smiling too, because today was a good thing, a very good thing indeed.  What an indescribable happiness we felt in our first day of He{art} for Morocco.

And this is just the beginning!  Tomorrow we hope to do similar lessons with another school… and then Wednesday we have a very special guest artist coming to teach and paint.

We are drinking joy in gulps today… what a happy, happy day!