It’s amazing how being somewhere can bring so many things to the surface. These past two weeks at the orphanage have been so refreshing and uplifting. The orphans who have “nothing” have seemed to remind me of so many real “every things”. The hardship of losing family and separation of what they had known hasn’t seemed to permanently alter the genuine love and care freeness that they display. Due to poverty and many” lack of s” they don’t show a mentality of greed or un appreciativeness. Instead they have shown many times over a mentality that pushes through the circumstance and uses things around them to achieve a positive fun environment.
A couple of years ago a colleague and I were talking about this generation of children and the lack of imagination we see in them. The video games, movies, and high-speed internet have robbed them of simply playing in a world where imagination and make- believe ideas create a day of adventure. The endless hours of playing in a refrigerator box, digging up worms, taking “juggle” walks through a park, and creating mud pies, were once at the forefront of childhood playing. But this current culture seems to be represented by video games and TV entertainment that has stunted the senses for creating for ones self.
As you enter the orphanage world it displays the “good old days” of childhood play. The simple living has created a hay day for using the every day things for entertainment. Bricks become building blocks; spoons are sand diggers; cans create a bowling alley; hair braiding and pony tail making become a spa day. Even the horrendous rains create floods that become a water adventure. “Everything” around them is used for the good. This was so encouraging and such an amazing reminder of what a positive perspective can behold. If only my “lack of s” could be turned into songs of dancing and my busyness and need for speed could slow down to appreciate the world around me enough to simply embrace the “mud” of life so as to create castles. When I first visited the orphans my heart hurt for all they are without, but now deep down I wonder if I am the one who is really lacking.
Seth being used as a human jungle gym
Molly french braiding hair-A Salon Day
The orphans are hard at work building!
There may be architects in the future!
A game of knock down the cans is in progress.
Reset and start again. Is this a carnival?
A spontaneous moment of song and dance!
Who needs a chewing toy?Anything can be used to entertain!
Coconut stacking. It’s serious business!
She finds delight and entertainment in the simple things.Mud pies anyone?
