As I have mentioned before, every afternoon we do a children's program. Usually a handful of kids show up that live in the village near by. This past week we had a really cool opportunity to go to a orphanage down the street and do the children's program! It seems like plans change every day here in Moldova. But this change I couldn't be happier about. We ended up going there for three afternoons. I want to introduce you to the little girl who stole my heart. Her name is Anna and she is three.
I never heard her speak and the only noise she ever made was a creepy grunt when she pointed somewhere she wanted to walk. The first day we seperated the big kids and the little kids because the orphanage is home to 100 kids. I went with the little kids and we sat and colored. I picked up a random kid to sit in my lap, and the kid was Anna. Once she sat in my lap we had an instant connection. I would try to walk away and she would grab my hand. I would set her down and she would stretch her arms out and stand on her tippy toes wanting to be picked up again. When you hold her she lays her head against yours. She is one the sweetest little girls I've ever met. She is just craving to be loved and feel like somebody cares. The day before I met her my teammate Carly asked me what made me want to work at an orphanage someday and I had a hard time answering that question. It's just something I've wanted to do for a long time. I can't remember a specific time when that desire began. As I was holding Anna I thought to myself, this is why. Anna absolutely melted my heart. Her and other kids like her are why I have a huge passion for orphans.
I knew that this trip would be life changing. I didn't realize how much my heart would be overflowing with love and joy. Especially 3 weeks in. Bring on more God because I love it!
