Today was the absolutely most amazing day. Some people from the US sponsor some kids in a local orphanage here in South Africa and my team got to take them to the beach today. Their names are Bellacaze, Leeroy, Terrance, and Sadie and they are all 8 or 9 years old. They are truly precious.
We arrived at the orphanage and all the children were in their rooms. They came out into the living room all dressed in their bathing suits and hats, ready for a day in the sun. They were all very shy but they would sneak a smile at me here and there if I smiled first. I instantly fell in love.
We got in the car and road to the beach, all 4 kids in the front of the van as quiet as can be. When we arrived, Bellacaze snook over to me, her face covered by her hat. A still small voice peaked out from below as she grabbed my hand in hers. She said, “I want to be your friend.” I said, “you are my friend sweet girl. I can’t wait to spend the day with you.” She lit up and then began asking me more questions and beginning to open up! We then sat on the beach and she looked through my pictures and asked me who every single face was in every picture. Bellacaze is truly the cutest thing.
Then the boys came over freezing and I cuddled them in their towels to warm them up. They shared my phone playing some games I taught them. I poured them juice and gave them snacks. We watched the waves crash and the dolphins jumping in them. We watched the surfers in surf school surf their first waves. We watched the multiple kites fly in the air above us, whipping around in the wind. We wrote funny things in the sand and we built tall, royal Castles that were soon destroyed by the water. As the waves grew stronger, the boys wanted to play in them so we went splashing around in the water, running in and out and finding sea shells on the shore. These are moments I will treasure as I held these children in my arms and played with them on the beach, laughing and loving them as we looked out upon the ocean the Lord created. I am so blessed.
How amazing is it that these children have tragic pasts and no longer have a family but yet now they have a home. Now they are loved by each other and most importantly by God. They have the kindest manners, the sweetest smiles and the most joyous, roaring laughs. They do not wear the pain they’ve faced. They have been covered by the blood of Christ and loved so well by His people. I am honored to be one of those people. They have truly stole my heart. Glory be to God for blessing me with these children to love for the weeks to come. I will never forget this special day at the beach.
