High up in the mountains far away from all the heat and turmoil of the lowland lives a lovely lady with her eleven beautiful children. They live in a pleasant house surrounded by lush green grass and trees. Out in the meadow a horse munches on the crisp grasses and in the garden a mother hen and her baby chicks scritch scratch among the lettuces looking for a juicy worm.
This lovely lady is such an amazing mother. She emanates gentleness and kindness, strength and love. Even in wilder moments she is calm and maintains order and control. She leads her children to Jesus, teaching them to pray and sing and serve him in everything they do.
With eleven lively young ones there is never a dull moment. The walls of that big house echo with the sound of little feet and happy laughter and the occasional sibling spat! When they aren’t busy having school or helping with household chores they can be found playing hide n seek, or tag or perhaps chasing moths and crickets. In quieter moments they may be inside working on puzzles or racing matchbox cars or gathering around mommy’s knee to admire a tiny newborn baby.
There is also a sweet, girl teacher who lives in that house and every day she takes those children into a warm, sunny room filled with colorful posters. And there she guides them into the land of sums and literature; equipping them with skills to navigate life as successful, competent adults.
There is a cheerful maid who comes everyday to launder all those little dresses and trousers and to cook pots of nutritious foods to fill hungry tummies. Everyone knows who to go to when in need of nourishment or dry clothes.
Veronika and I had the privilege of spending most of a week in this home! Wending our way up the mountain I thought we’d never stop going up. In some places the road was extremely steep and rough but the trusty little truck went on and on and on for two and a half hours!! Up through the clouds we went past lush green foilage, breathtaking views, and countless little garden plots full of beans, corn, and coffee. We passed people walking straight up the side of the mountain while balancing very huge and heavy pans and bundles on their heads- its actually insane how they do that!
Just when I thought we’d never stop going up we broke through the clouds and there we were at the top of the mountain; at Rhonda’s house! Coming from the lowland it felt very damp and chilly but inside there were hot showers, warm tea, soft music and good talks and cozy blankets! In the morning we awoke to the happy sounds of birds singing and the rooster crowing- the air felt fresh and clean. In the evening as the sun slid behind the rim of mountains a cool mist would settle down over the big house and it felt dark and cold but inside the children were gathered around the alter to hear about Jesus and to thank him for another day full of love and blessings!
