Lessons from an Orphan
This month we have been living within an orphanage community. It’s been an INCREDIBLE 3 weeks already and I don’t know if I’ll be ready to leave them in a few short days. It breaks my heart knowing these kids’ story, but it is also so wonderful to see the joy they have each day. Most days consists of helping the kids with their kitchen and cleaning chores, as well as bathing them. When they get home from school, we have bible study and get to simply hangout with them. We are ending our month with a talent show and field day. I have loved every second.
There is so much that God is teaching me, but here are a few lessons that the orphans are teaching me that are relevant to the life of a racer.
- -How to successfully live in a community
- It’s crazy how well they all work together, all the chores are split. They help each other at all times. They communicate well with each other and someone is never alone. They make living in a community look easy, and as a racer it was cool to see how well it actually works.
- -Not complaining/deal with conflict in present time
- There isn’t time to let things go on unhappy. If there is a disagreement it is settled. I don’t hear the kids complaining or bad talking others. I watch these kids do their chores each morning without complaining because they know they have to be done. Dealing with conflict head on has been something new to me, but the pros outweigh the cons.
- -Being ok with less
- As a missionary, we come with less. But we have a choice. They are simply given less and don’t have a choice. Yet, they make use of those things every day. They remain humble with the things they are given. Their joy truly comes from the Lord and it’s inspiring.
- -Spending loads of time outside
- I mean I don’t know how you couldn’t spend every minute outside in these mountains, but these kids do it so well. They could also run around for hours. There is so much more to be explored, why refrain to just one area?
- -Loving others without ceasing
- When there isn’t much to give they give all they can. Everyone is family. But I have never felt so loved and appreciated by a group of kids.
- -Eager to learn new things
- Goodness, they ask so many questions. They never want to stop hearing new things. Whether it’s just about our personal lives or something from the bible, I am more than willing to answer all their questions, and I hope it never stops.
- -Using imagination.
- Gosh I watched these kids make an entire home out of old tires, using lids from metal cans to cut their fruit and cups out of old food containers. We are all children of God and nothing is beyond our reach.
- -How to share.
- They do this so effortlessly. One of the eldest girls received candy and was told to keep it all for herself. But minutes after the women left I saw her handing each child a piece of the candy.
- -How to make an outfit last
- In the beginning, I was given the impression that they have few clothes. It turns out that they have loads of clothes, they simply just like a few outfits. And it is possible to wash and wear the same outfit every day.
- There’s things we don’t see and understand
- The staff deal with far more things than us volunteers do. It becomes about dealing with what you have but knowing there are still other things going that we are unaware of.
I am so thankful for this past month and everything I have learned. It will be difficult to leave these children and their incredible hearts. But I can’t thank God enough for calling me into the mission field. This life is incredible and I need your help to continue. I am still fundraising and have $3000 left to raise.
