The Kids Next Door

It's typical for extended families to live together in Uganda...and that's the way it is in our neighbors' home. There are several family units and lots of kids (at least 8) who live next door and they LOVE Zephaniah.

First thing after breakfast each morning, Zeph likes to grab a hold of my fingers and lead me outside of the house, around the back, to the bushes bordering our neighbors' property. He stands there and shouts until the neighbor kids hear him and come running over to say hello.

Many times we find ourselves playing our our driveway in the afternoon when the kids get home from school, so they peek through our gate and ask to stop in to play. Sometimes they play with Zeph's toys, sometimes they draw with sidewalk chalk, sometimes they push Zeph around in a stroller, sometimes they teach us Ugandan games. Whatever the activity of the day, Zeph is thoroughly entertained when they are around.

One afternoon a bunch of the crew came over to hang out and listen to Matt play the guitar. You can also see our housemate, Jessica, pictured on the right:

Zeph showing off his strong standing legs:

John and Zeph checking each other out:
Maria holds Zeph while Daniel, Daniel, John, and Cristine smile for the camera:

Disclaimer: Young children in Uganda often spend the majority of their day without clothes. Zeph has quickly embraced this cultural norm...and thus you see him "being free," as we say in Uganda.

John and Zeph play with the football:

Zeph, John, and Ryan investigate the sidewalk chalk:

We're very blessed to have such special kids living next door!