I feel like a celebrity.  When I went out of my room the first morning, every child said “Hello!!!” or “Good Morning!!!” or pointed to my hands and said “Ma’am, Supa!!!”   (Look at the henna on my hands that the girls did)
 Henna

We arrived at the Mercy and Grace Orphanage Saturday morning!!   We were greeted by about 130 children standing in lines with colourful punjabi dresses and a sign “Welcome World Race Volunteers.”  Then, get this, they all got in a big circle and sang “If you’re happy and you know it.”  It was wonderful 🙂  

Most, if not all, of the children are NOT shy.  They all say “Me name?” and point to me or say “my name” and they say their names.  There are a lot of names to remember…
The Girls
 

Day 1 we served the children breakfast, learned names, played with the children, taught them a dance, were introduced in a ‘very special guest’ ceremony where we introduced ourselves and told them our talents, played guitar, sang, played a rock game, and learned some of their dances.
Day 2 we played with the children, learned more names, danced some more, sang songs, played a rock game, braided hair, went to Sunday School/Church, and preached…
So we learned 15 minutes before church that we are expected to preach.  I thought “oh, he probably means next week sometime” then people suggested that maybe it would be today at church.  We each brainstormed on our own for a few minutes and then went to church.  When we were in the room, they asked who was going to speak.  John asked me if I would…so, I reluctantly did.  

It was definitly challenging.  I have never preached before.  The son of the owners translated.  I gave a story about my life and related it to Matthew 5:14-15.  It was quite fun.  I hope the children learned from what I shared.  
Meal Time/Serving Water
 
The children are so great!!  They also shared at church about their life experiences and how God has changed their lives.  They are really fun children and they also are very independant.  They get themselves up in the morning, wash, get changed, wash their clothes (every day), get their school bags ready, braid each other’s hair, go to their school classes, resolve conflicts, etc.  It is so interesting to see.  They also show a lot of respect for the adults.  
 
Washing clothes
 

I am excited to teach in the classrooms.  The rooms are separated by two grades.  Every morning they clean up their beds and belongings and then have school in the same room.  
There you have it!  I am so glad we have come here.  The owners have been praying for people to come and help. Here we are!  Praise God!!!

Thank you for all your support, everyone 🙂
My Team
Anne (Ohnne, Ohnnie, Sista)
p.s. The food is really good!  My favourite so far is rice, curb and banana all mixed together 🙂  Also, most of the food is still spicy, but they toned it down for us!