We hit the ground running!! After we arrived on Day 1, we had a delicious lunch and then a walking tour of the property. In a nutshell, this place is an amazing resource for the community beyond the fences. They have a health clinic that is open to the public on weekends (orphanage Mon-Fri) and 200 students from outside the orphanage attend the school here in addition to the 100 orphans. They are getting a quality Christian education. Most pay very little to come and some don’t have to pay at all because of generous donations.
Next, we watched the older girls play soccer against another team from outside the orphanage. They had a huge cheering section and it was our first opportunity to meet some of the children.
Our whole family immediately get the joy these children have through their hugs and giggles. Considering what they have been through it is truly incredible.
Yesterday was day 2 and Hannah and I were assigned to help in a home with 13 girls from ages 2-15. We played tag, volleyball, Gaga ball, hide and seek, piggy back rides. We had a blast and the only object we needed was a ball!
The house mom was so thankful to take a shower and clean her house for a few hours without 6 Littles under her feet.
Now that the girls on our team are comfortable and have formed many relationships I have started to try to get to know the teen girls. I taught a group of 6 to make bracelets. They were very quiet. I am giving them time to get used to my presence and hope that our friendships will develop over the next week.
I bonded with a 13 year old named “R.” The first day we were here she would come sit by me for a few seconds and then leave for a while. I could tel she wasn’t ready to talk so I would just smile at her. Yesterday the time she stayed next to me started getting longer and longer and we started habing some conversations. She loves making bracelets so I taught her a new one. It was great to have our hands busy because it’s easier to talk. Please pray that I can pour into “R’s” life this week.
Caleb mixed concrete all day. Back breaking work, but very rewarding. The men poured the concrete to make new side walks on the other side of the fence of the clinic. The orphanage will be adding a public bus stop to make it more convenient for the community to access the clinic.
Caleb shared that it was such a contrast seeing the world outside the orphanage. A combination of fancy cars (most likely the result of gangs and drugs) and the opposite.
Timmy made a new friend named “E”. They played soccer most of the day and hung out in a hammock. Timmy is so happy that he is the same age and they have managed to communicate pretty well. He asked me what “fuerte” means and I told him “strong”. He responded, “That makes sense. I beat him in arm wrestling and he told me “E” said he was fuerte.
It sounds like painting may be in our future today and I know the moms want us to come back and entertain the children for them today. We are looking forward to it!
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