I thought that my first experience in an African Orphanage would break me. I thought it would be dirty and the kids desperate for attention. A bit gloomy like the ones they show on tv. We pulled up to a pretty neighborhood with manicured lawns. A man let us in through the gates and there were two buildings. The sun was bright and beaming down on us as the two dogs came to greet us. Not much watch dogs, but sweet things.
We walked down the sidewalk and up the building on the left. A handful or so of kids were standing inside a gated area and most of them special needs. A couple stretched out there arms at us and we shook their hands. This was nothing like I had imagined. No large room run amuck with kids all needy for attention and overtired caretakers. We walked in and the lady gave us a tour. Colored tile and clean walls. The babies all taken care of. Where am I? Is this Africa? I am so confused.
We split up into groups and head to different age groups. I had the toddlers with Chad, Tyler, Kris and Eric. It was such a sweet moment, the second we walked through the gate one of the girls face let up with glee and toke off running to Chad. She ran up to him and held up her arms to be picked up and instantly I knew why we were there. I almost felt like an intruder on some special Kodak moment. But it was beautiful. We played with the kids outside until lunch time. Some were so tiny their legs were the size of two of my fingers.
Somehow I picked the fussy child to watch. It’s good, I like the fussy ones. When I walked up to him; he had this tear below his eyelash that never truly dropped and he used to his advantage. I had him walk most of the way back to the building; he needed to use his motor skills. He did a great job!
We fed the kids, it was such a blast!! They like to use their fingers and get food all over themselves. Tyler had the best toddler around. We believe she had Down’s, but I couldn’t get a straight answer from the nurse. Angie would check to see if Tyler put the food in her mouth by shoving four fingers in her mouth and pushing the food to the back of her throat. Then with whatever food was left on her hand she started an art project on the table in front of them. You could see the reach of her arm as by the end of the meal, as she had ugali and avocado in a semi-circle around her.
My little boy and girl were pretty good. Evelyn fed herself the good ole hand method and the little boy ate all of his food but refused to be undignified enough to feed himself with a spoon or his hand. I love little kids and all their little quirks. I can’t wait till I have a few of my own…but not for some time.
We put them to bed which was fun. We helped undress them so that they can be changed. Then redress them and put them into bed. Some kids do not like being dressed and put to bed, but most of them are used to the routine of it all. I laid the ones I helped with to bed. Jason stole my heart. I spent a few minutes with him alone. I tickled him and I wish I had a video camera to show you his infectious laugh and the glee that poured out of him. I then looked at him and just spoke life over him, prayed for his tiny little heart. So little and yet so important to God.
I’ve had several African students ask me if I would come back to Kenya and start a family. For little Evelyn and Jason I’d come back. I’d come back and adopt them and start a family with them.
