Robyn.Bowles.es

April 25 – May 2 The second leg of our journey was spent in the capital city of Rabat.

From Tanger we traveled south along the coast to Rabat. Here we spent several days serving with a very energetic South American worker. He and his family have been there for over 10 years loving the people and serving them. He works for an NGO there which is involved in many projects of development and support. He also works as a therapist in a center for mentally and physically disabled children. It was inspiring to watch him with the kids and their parents, he went from a very busy, punctual, energetic man to calm, patient and completely focused on his work. He has been very influencial in that center and all the workers there love and appreciate him.

We were also warmly welcomed there. Members of our group were involved in several projects including painting colorful murals on the walls of the center,assisting in some of the therapy, performing skits and songs and dancing with the staff and kids.

Another group went to a nearby gym to work on scraping old and applying new paint. Because one of the girls is allergic to certain chemicals, she went to the hospital next door to ask for gloves to wear. This sparked quite an interest in what they were doing and led to an invitation for lunch to the home of a doctor, and also a “circumcision party” for the men (the King had his son circumcised that day, and in celebration, circumcisions were free!).
Samuel worked in the office of the NGO preparing a power-point presentation for our host to share during his trip to Spain. He also helped “fix” and clean-up several computers of more workers, including one in someone´s home. This got us a night away from our cell-like hotel room, “squatty potty” and community shower to spend the night and have dinner with his family (who had a nice bathroom including shower and toilet!)

We were also invited to a garden party at the home of one of the workers of the center where we enjoyed cookies, mint tea and lots of traditional music and dancing.

We had a free day that Samuel and I spent walking through the Medina and seeing the sites. Along the way I was “attacked” by a henna artist. Before I knew it I had henna on my hand and was led to sit down. I allowed her to finish her artwork, and for the next ten days had a pretty decoration on my hand.

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