~Warning- a longer one!~
This week went by so so fast! We are still working with Camp Hope. In the beginning of the week I spent time with 7-10 year olds. I would put them in the middle range when it comes to how they can function.
I met two boys who stole my heart. Vincent has the most precious smile when you talk to him. He is 10. He can understand what you are saying to him, and he has a handshake with me! Just getting to spend time with him and do mobility exercises with him is sweet.
Another little boy named Anderson, who is 9, completely and uderly melted my heart and turned it inside out. I took him for a walk in the park on their property. You have to walk behind him and hold him while he walks because his balance and legs are not good enough on their own. We sat on the grass and he pushed me to lay down. He put his head on my stomach. We laid there for a bit while he giggled and threw grass. We moved onto these tires that are halfway into the ground, so that kids can work on stepping over things. Hopefully that image make sense. I took him to sit on one. I was behind him and had my arms wrapped around him for support. He picks up one of my hands and puts his hand on top, then he wiggles his little fingers in between mine and we just sat like that for about 20 minutes holding hands. He threw his head back against my chest and looked up at me and smiled his sweet smile that lights up his whole face. It was such a precious moment. If you know me, you know I was LOVING it!
The last two days of the week I was back with the youngest and lowest functioning kiddos. I was with little Jesus again. He is two years old but is the size of a 3-4 month old. Something about him is that he never stops moving. He is the wiggliest worm ever! He was crying and sucking on his finger because he was just so tired, but fighting sleep. I got on the floor next to him and put my hand on his stomach to force him to lay still. As I stroked his face and hair he slowly started to give in. I started to have a bit of a moment, and had to hold back some tears. He goes back to the orphanage at 5:00. I was thinking, how many times does he have someone who lovingly puts him to sleep? I was playing with his fingers and watching him suck his finger just wanting him to have a mamma so bad. Who could not have wanted him?! He is such a blessing even for my short time there. It was heartbreaking.
Today, Sunday, we went to an English speaking church! It felt like home! We met a man named Tom who was traveling alone. He has been traveling without companion of other Christians and asked to hang with us for the day! He is super cool and it’s awesome how God opens the doors to bless others and allow us to meet people. He’s such a cool dude!
It is still a struggle to have patience with the kids in Camp Hope but those sweet moments have definitely softened my heart big time. This week has been an answer to prayers.
Thanks for following along!
Love,
Emma ??
