Pure Joy

July 10th

We only got to be at the orphanage for half the day today and it was in

the morning when Emerson is on an IV so I did not get to hold her but for

just a few minutes before she got put on it. The other half of the day was

spent resting and relaxing, and some of us went shopping for the kids. We

got the school kids a few outfits and we also got underwear and we are

getting every child a new pair of shoes. We then had dinner at KFC again

where I ate mashed potatoes and French fries with a peach tea. I was glad

to not have to eat the meat. My meal was very good, and even better

when we all got ice cream afterwards!

Joy. These kids know pure joy. Nothing melts my heart more than having

sweet Cameron, a little boy with downs, run the whole length of the hallway

and run and jump into my arms with a huge smile on his face which he is

never without. He gives the best hugs; he squeezes like he is never going

to let go.

We celebrated one of the baby’s 2nd birthday so it was an excuse to get a

cake and get the babies all messy. They were so cute and absolutely loved

the cake, even though most of it ended up on their faces and even some on

hands and feet.

After playing with the babies for a little bit we went outside with the

big kids so they could run around and get some energy out. We put tattoos

on them and they wanted them EVERYWHERE, their hands, legs, arms, face. It

was hilarious, and they loved it! The nannies also gave them suckers so

that kept most of them pretty quiet for a little while. We noticed a lot of

cavities in their teeth, and I know that none of them ever get them

brushed, so they are just going to get worse and worse. I know most people

don’t like going to the dentist, but be thankful that you have the

capability of getting dental care. We are so fortunate and I think that we

forget how lucky we are a lot of the time.

 

We always have water bottles with us, because it is so hot and we sweat so

much, but none of us ever drink it all so we usually end up giving a lot to

kids. I never see them drink water, and they have got to be so dehydrated,

so if they see us take a drink they want it. They will beg for some water,

so naturally we just give them the rest, pouring a little into each kids

mouth.

In devotion tonight Amy brought up that when we are broken and empty that

that is when we need to let go and let God. When we have nothing else to

give, that is when we need to let him do his powerful work, because he can

and will if we put all of our trust in Him. He wants us to rely fully on

Him and not try and fix everything ourselves because whether we like it or

not we do not always know what is best for our lives.

Knowing that we only have a day and a half left with the kids makes me so

sad, but I intend to make the best out of it and cherish every moment that

happens. Sometimes I think I am ready to be home, but I do not want to

leave these kids. I wish I could take every single one of them home with

me. My life would be complete if I could!