... And we're back from the orphanage after 7 hours of kids pulling our hair, continually saying "photo", and a lot of other french/creole that I couldn't understand! But it was still an awesome day!
After breakfast, I had updated the blog (see below) and then we got straight into the vehicle and drove about 30 minutes to the orphanage. We got there and all the children were waving from their balcony and by the time we made our way up, they were politely sitting in their circle waiting for us. I stepped in the room and it began ... the kid attack! We were greeted with plenty of hugs and laughter and smiles! After meeting the staff and the children sang a couple songs for us, we all headed downstairs. We got individual pictures of the kids taken for their sponsors and Laurie spent the entire day with translators writing profile updates for each child. She had a hefty task and with the help of Gene and Chesley, they were able to complete it all!
Jamie and I got a tour of the facility and local surroundings. IT's absolutely astounding. It's a 2 floor building with 2 large dormitory rooms (holds about 20-30 kids in each room) with large dorm style bathrooms. They got a generator operating (since April) along with a kitchen, nurses station, security guard sleeping quarters. They have a tower for the security guard, a church that doubles as a school.
The kids were absolutely precious. They ripped out a lot of my hair while playing with it which included braiding (yes, platting), touching it because it's different from theirs, and redoing my ponytail about a kajillion times. Jamie had to keep removing his hat so they could touch his hair and they ripped out his arm hair and placed it on themselves like it would magically grow or something, haha! Jamie had the kids running around, playing tag, and jumping competitions while I tried to teach a song, played tag, and cuddled with all the cuddlers (a.k.a. doing what I love).
We got to eat lunch with the children which included chicken, rice, banana, and some other stuff I can't remember. Jamie will be posting pictures soon. But seriously, by the end of the afternoon, we were all wiped out. We're currently back at the hotel for the evening. Dinner options tonight: chicken, fish, or goat. Awesome. :)
We love being here and God is softly speaking to each of us differently. Jamie and I both came back saying it is more african here than it is bahamian. That's something we're working thru, but the poverty here is immense. There is so much need and not the right leadership making things happen. The bottled water we bought yesterday for lunch were from Sam's Club meaning they were donated and somehow the wrong people got ahold of it and are now making profit off it. The corruption is big. They can't feed themselves but they all have cellphones.
We're taking it all in ... and listening to Him.
God is good. And we love you all.
OK . . . it wouldn't be normal if I didn't post at least one comment (based on my past history!). It is absolutely awesome to read about each day. Although we are not there with you, we can get a small glimpse of what it is like. We are praying for His voice to be clearly heard as you listen and continue to display the love of our King. BTW, happy early b-day, Leanne!!
ReplyDeleteMay His love overwhelm you.