Sleep my dear, don't be afraid, you are close to my heart

While waiting for our home study to be approved and notarized (going on our third month of waiting now–not that I’m complaining or anything), I have been learning more about the land where our daughter will be born.

I lived in Africa the first nineteen years of my life (and was born on that soil…a kinship that I will share with our daughter). I still feel that I missed out on really learning the story of the lands I lived in (Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya, and Ethiopia). I missed out on really appreciating the music of the land. I was more inconvenienced with what we had to do as missionary kids. My memories of church and music are ones where I spent more time sitting on hard benches for three hour services all in African dialects without any translation.

Looking back, I’m saddened that I did not learn more of the incredible beauty of Africa. That land has captured my heart, is part of my story and will be part of my daughter’s story.

So, now it’s time to learn. I have begun by listening to music. I love world music. Matthew got me this CD for my birthday last year. I continue to come back to it and listen and learn.

I have sung a song to each of my children since I found out that I was pregnant with them. For Caroline it is Twila Paris’s “Blessings.” For Tobin it is the simple song “Jesus Loves Me.” Each of these songs have become our song that we sing together each night. I have felt that this song by Danone O’Sow called Tesegu is my song for our daughter.

Na beyi n’hun se
Na beyi n’hun se
Eko de e kpeti eyi zuzu ku za n’hun se

O su na dele te se gu
O su na dele te se gu

Su na dele beyi ah
Su n dele beyi ah
Su na dele beyi ah eh

Sleep, my dear,
Sleep, my dear,

I am watching over you

Don’t be afraid, my dearest
Don’t be afraid, my dearest

You are close to my heart, my sweet.