Every morning this last week Emilie, Annie and I have been volunteering at a local orphanage. As we near the tiny building surrounded by a small mud yard, the kids run out screaming and frantically waving, grabbing our hands before we can even get off the tuk-tuk. From the moment I step off the carriage like transportation contraption, I’m swarmed. High pitched voices squeal, “Mommy, Mommy” while they take turns waiting in line for hugs. One by one small faces are pressed into my stomach, and short arms are wrapped around my legs. Arriving at the orphanage is normally my favorite moment of the day.
(Watch out, student driver, the boys playing on a tuk-tuk)
After that “ministry” is the easiest thing in the world. I sit at a table, one or two kids jump up in my lap, and a few press in on each side. Then we love each other. Most don’t speak English, Kamai is way beyond me, but words are unnecessary. They color pictures, tap on my arm and say, “Mommy look,” and then proudly hand me the masterpieces. I smile as big as possible and say “Oh, wow, it’s beautiful, just like you.”
(Check out this masterpiece)
On my first day at the orphanage almost three weeks ago I met a beautiful 15 year old girl, Chanty Ly. She is gentle and soft spoken, always helping the other kids with tender compassion. We became instant friends. She speaks a lot of English and works hard in school. One day she eagerly informed me that she is first in her class of 80 students.
(me with some of the girls, Chanty Ly is on the left)
Today she asked to see a picture of my family. I held up a picture of my parents, my sister and me that I’ve saved on my camera for the last 9 months. After asking a lot of questions about the picture she requested that I come to her room. She linked arms with me and led me into the dark, 12 by 8 foot shack with 4 sets of bunk beds, standing water on the ground, and the stench of urine. “I have gifts for you and your family,” Chanty Ly said with an animated grin.
She handed me three beautiful, intricately woven bracelets, and instructed me on whom each bracelet was for. Then she placed a purple, pink and orange bracelet on my wrist and asked that I wear it and don’t forget her. “I will never forget you,” I said while wrapping my arms around her in a tight hug. After Chanty Ly handed me the lovely presents a serious expression crossed her face.
“Morgan I have a question.”
“Yes.” I responded my arm still draped over her shoulders.
“May I e-mail your mom?”
(My mom, Janis, and me before the Race)
“Yes you can e-mail my mom, she would love to hear from you.” I then wrote both my e-mail and my mom’s e-mail in Chanty Ly’s book.
“May I call her mom, I don’t have mom, and I would like to call her mom.”
“She would love to have you call her mom.”
“Oh thank you Morgan, I am very excited, I love you and I love your family very much!”
I’ve questioned my purpose a lot in the last few weeks (see:Warning: Not Blog Worthy) but God has shown me that the most important thing I can do is to love the one that He puts in my path. This week that person has been Chanty Ly, and I can’t wait to see who it is next!
(The kids singing a song)
