THE PHILIPPINES | Last Days in Malaybalay :: part 3
DINNER FOR THEM
Our last three days were packed with things to do. We had decided as a squad that we wanted to throw a party for the staff on Monday night and then have a party for the kids at the same time. We got a full roasted pig which is the traditional banquet food and was able to just spend time honoring the staff that works here. Tim and Ashley had even put together a slide show of all the workers during the last month. Their night was finished off with a little karaoke and some fun group games.
Over at the kids home, which is where I resided for the night, we had planned to serve some spaghetti, make cupcakes, and possibly watch a movie. BUT, when we got over there to take over for the house moms, the power had gone out. Luckily the spaghetti had already been made and the cupcakes precooked, but we spent the whole night in their dining area only lit by what looks like a bug zapper. I think the kids still had fun, but I know they were all a little down just knowing we would be leaving in just two short days.
DINNER FOR US
On Tuesday, they had a party for us complete with barbeque ribs which were delicious, fried potato wedges, and pasta! It was amazing. Then for entertainment they brought the kids over and they had prepared songs and skits for us. Hopefully I will be able to put a video of this up so you can see how great it was! At the end of the night we were able to present to them each with envelopes full of letters that we had all written to them. It was great to see their little faces glow as they tried to read them all as quickly as possible!
That night, Tara and I were able to go tuck the kids in for the last time. We sat for hours just sitting in their room as they either cracked us up or moved us to tears. Those boys had become a part of our family over the last month and it is hard to think that I will most likely never see them again.
SAYING GOOD-BYE
This was the hardest day by far that I have had since being on the World Race. I don’t think I would have ever guessed it would be hard for me to leave a place or even get so attached in just one short month. But those kids have such a light around them that it is so hard not to get attached. The last days had been filled with spending all the time I could there and they spent all their time writing notes and letters to each of us telling how much they would miss us and loved us.
The kids had to leave for school at 7 that morning so we all were there to see them off. As they were all in the bus , they one by one began to shed tears, which made us all cry in return if not crying already. We held them as long as we could even as the bus started moving trying even in those last moments to speak life on them through telling them how much they are loved and how beautiful they all were.
Even now, looking back it is hard to think about those kids. They each have a story that is even more horrible than the next, but each one is so full of love at the same time. Those 22 kids/babies/tots will forever be in my heart and I will miss them deeply.
As my supporters/family/friends I am going to list their names and if you could just commit to praying for one or more of them over the next week. Pray that they would fully know the love of God, and know how beautiful/handsome they are. Pray that their papers would be easily prepared and that nothing comes in the way of completing them to enable a family to adopt them. Pray for the families that will adopt them, that they are loving and God-honoring people. Pray for their dreams and futures that they will be bright. Thank you so much in advance for doing this. I have realized the power of prayer and I thought that the more people I was able to tell the greater their prayer support would be!
