My favorite word.

We drive down the road and we hear children calling out "Hi Mzungu!"

 The kids in the mornings shout "Mzungu Mzungu!" when we show up.

They call me Mzungu to get my attention.

Some people don't like it, these kids calling you mzungu,

mzungu means white person, it's as simple as that, isn't that what I am?

Some people are offended, but it's really just an observation, they don't mean it as a bad thing.

Personally, I love it.

The kids that shout out greetings when we drive down the road and are smiling and jumping and waving.

I love to hear the little ones say it, I'm so used to it, I answer to it without thinking.

Don't ask me why, I really don't know, but I love it.

And yet, as much as I love hearing it, that one isn't my favorite, 

my favorite word to hear their little voices say behind me,

My favorite thing to hear come out of their mouths, 

My favorite, especially to hear from the little ones who don't even live at Sascu,

Is my name.

This is Joello, don't ask me if that's how it's spelled, I haven't got a clue, but that's the closest I've got to how I say it.

I met that little cutie last summer. He doesn't live at Sascu, but he comes to play almost everyday.

He's a sweet, smart, and precious little boy, he's always called me mzungu.

I've told him my name again and again, but he still calls me mzungu all the time, I'm perfectly okay with that.

I'll ask him what my name is, he just smiles and shakes his head, I'll tell him my name again, though in the back of my mind, I don't think he'll remember it.

Yesterday was the first time, this little guy looked at me and called me by name.

Maybe it was just the first time he remembered it, or maybe it was easier to get my attention,

all the same, my heart melted the second it came out of his mouth.

Nahea and Fad. I met Fad last summer, but he was scared of me, this year he clings to my hand and plays with me. I just met Nahea a few days ago, and she is my bestest little friend.

a few days ago they were shouting my name repeatedly, they wanted me to watch the tumble and somersault in the grass, and though I was watching them already ,they shouted my name again and again, I just watched and smiled.

To hear them call me by name is so incredibly meaningful to me.

They're making an effort to remember my name, 

It means I'm not just "mzungu" to them, I'm Molly.

I'm their friend and their my friends.

I love them so much, and hearing them say my name melts my heart again and again.

Whenever I hear it behind me as I walk away, I spin around again, and usually end up exactly where I was again.

It's really one of my favorite things in the world every single time one of the littlest ones say my name, I just love, love, love it :)