As soon as we hit the dirt road this place won my heart over. It took me back to memories of cruising the back roads in my car. It took me back to wondering the dirt roads with my nieces and nephews in search of the secret berry spot. It took me back to the road that takes me to my moms house. That Georgia clay looked like it was placed in Cambodia for me to enjoy a little piece of my roots.
Instead of sharing this dirt road with my nieces and nephews I get to venture out on it with orphans, and sometimes the occasional elephant passing by. Instead of driving my car on it, I get to ride on the back of a truck and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Instead of picking berries with my nieces and nephews I get to pick them with all the kids here.
Our mornings are filled with bible lessons and english classes, our afternoons are play time, and the one thing that the day never lacks in is love. I teared up this morning as the children sang praise songs at the top of their lungs. I knew before coming here that my heart would break all over again. It broke in India leaving the orphanage. Up until that point there were only two other times in my life where my heart had hurt like that. One occasion was when my grandfather passed away when I was twelve. I am pretty sure I cried for two weeks over that one. The other time was when I was mad and frustrated with someone for throwing their life away with drugs.
I sat alone on the side of the house last night while watching the sun sink into the horizon. All I could do was praise the Lord for everything in my life and thank Him for giving me this month with these beautiful children. That night He gave us amazing stars to stare at with the kids attached to our sides. It truly is a privilege to love these kids, and it will be a privilege to hurt at the end of the month when it comes time to leave.
“I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father.” 3 John 1:4
