part of this month is going around to different orphanages and playing with the
kids. Building relationships and sharing the love of Jesus. This proved truest just the other day when it
was His love that I needed more than anything.
I don’t know what else to call the orphanage
than the invalid orphanage. That’s how
it was described to us when we were told we had the opportunity to go. I was looking forward to this one for some
reason… I don’t usually get excited to do these things to be honest. Once I am there I enjoy the children and
games and whatnot… but gearing up to go is sometimes hard. This time was different.
We got there and were hit with the smell of
urine and some sort of disinfectant mix.
You get used to it right away when you take that first left turn and
walk down the hall to see some children waiting to meet you.
Children all lined up behaving the best they
could on the bench; some on the floor and some hiding under tables. So happy we were there, ready to shake our
hands or give us “five”. This time was
the first time that words literally weren’t necessary. Not only because I don’t speak their
language, but even if I did they simply may not understand what I say
anyway. The first room was mostly boys…
ages from 4-12 probably eager to be held, tickled or just touched. Sweet boys.
(The first day we didn’t bring cameras so I don’t have picts from then,
just yesterday.)
We were given a tour the first day so each area
we couldn’t stay long. This was probably
one of the harder parts to the day, just wanting to spend time with them and
needing to move on.
So we moved on.
The next room they brought us to hit me hard. Mentally and physically handicapped children,
ones who aren’t able to do anything but lay there in their beds. The conditions weren’t necessarily bad, their
life was what was sad. None of them had
diapers, just swatches of sheets wrapped around their incredibly frail
bodies. Their bodies had next to nothing
in regards to muscle or meat. Tiny
shaved heads peaked out of their heavy blankets. Shaved heads are less maintenance but you
can’t tell whether they are girls or boys.
Not that it mattered, apparently they don’t know their own names
either. I asked for their names… but the
nurse lady just said they won’t understand.
Which leads me to think that they really don’t get the attention they
need, considering they don’t address them as people, as a child with a
name. So what do they have? If they don’t have a name. I could only give them a smile. I could only
give them my touch. I tried to keep it
together. Deep breaths and asking Jesus
to take over… “please be in my touch” I want to hold them, rock them, sing to
them, sit with them and cry for them. Touching
them is all I wanted to do. Hum to them…
I miss them as I type this and I am going to see them on Tuesday. WOW.
But I had to move on. I felt like was being punched in the gut and
told to get up and run. Deep
breaths. Next room. More of the same thing, just older.
They can smile… and they do! They light up the room. Well at least they lit up my world. God. I
love them. Holy crap this is hard.
After we were done with our tour we were able to
take some of the children outside to play.
There were only about 20 kids that could physically go outside, age wise
too. We played volleyball. Well, there was a volleyball and a net but
nothing really resembled the game of volleyball. We had fun and I know they did too. Darci and I had a special friend who took a
liking to us and claimed us as his girlfriends.
It was sooo funny. He was very
protective of us and definitely liked to show us how strong he was with his big
muscles and hiked up pants.
the volleyball. He would ask for the
ball with gimme gimme fingers and when he got it and tossed it 3 ft he bounced
up and down. I called him “bouncy blue
pants” because when he bounced from excitement his pants would fall down and
his little butt would show. It was sooo
cute.
Notice the little boy in blue…and i mean little! his pants are two colors for a reason… no diapers. while sitting here in this corner i watched another little boy pee himself and sat in a puddle of his pee- the one in yellow… he was not a happy child… blue pants was… and mr. green shirt… They need diapers so bad… the staff needs for them to have diapers too. 🙁
After our game we were going to meet the
director of the orphanage. He was busy
in a meeting so as we waited were treated to lunch made by the staff. We had no idea they were going to invite us
to eat. A whole table of food awaited
us. We sat and ate mashed potatoes,
really garlic(y) coleslaw, chicken, fish, bread and cheese. It was a lot of food. A lady sat with us and talked (through Vika)
and we ate. She told us that we had to
eat everything or the cooking staff would be offended. She wasn’t kidding. We ate so much and were stuffed.
Literally. They were and are incredibly
hospitable. A wonderful staff. While talking to her we asked what their
greatest need at the orphanage is and she replied, “pampers”. Come to find out they have no diapers. Or at least when they do, they go through
them so fast they can’t keep up. We
weren’t sure if they use cloth diapers, but found out they do use fabric, just
not anything good because they don’t have dryers. (in this country really) The thickness of cloth diapers take too long
to dry on the clothes lines.
Anyway. MONEY FOR DIAPERS….
really liked and got an overall great impression of the orphanage. We told him we’d love to come back and he was
delighted. He also challenged us to a
volleyball game. Their staff against
us. We feel the staff needs just as much
of our smiles and God’s blessings as the children. They work hard and have a lot to deal
with. I kept thanking them for what they
are doing with the children. I just pray
they don’t grow weary of doing good.
So that was most of the first day Tuesday. They said we could come back the next day on
Wed so I thought it would be awesome if I went and got bubbles… they would love
it!
their reaction to bubbles. I still
am. The next day,
Wednesday we werecalled early in the morning and told we won’t be going that day because a child
died that night and they were having a funeral for them that day. I was shocked. But had such a peace about it almost
immediately. I know they are so much
better off in the arms of Jesus. I bet
He just loved them so much that He couldn’t bare to be apart from them any
longer and called them back home with Him.
earlier that day? I must have. Thank You
Lord that I got to touch one of Your babies before You called them back to You.
We went back today. It was really good. I saw more of how badly they need diapers after
learning it is their greatest need. We
played indoors today because it was rainy and no bubbles. Hopefully when we go back on Tuesday, which
is too far away. What am I going to do
when I leave? Sigh.
This is the first ministry that I would really enjoy
bringing my family back to. I hope that
the Lord allows this to happen. To come
back with the Hartman family, spend time with the children and bring money (we
fundraised) to buy diapers and possibly toys for the children.
There’s so much more I could talk about. But for now… I will end in this prayer…
Jesus.
Thank You.
If Your joy is the smile of a child then
I am stronger because of it. Thank You
for the opportunity to meet your beautiful children.
I truly love them. I can hardly wrap my mind around it. How You have expanded my heart to hold so
much love.
You are so good to me, I am
forever grateful. Lord, I pray that one
day You will allow my family to experience these amazing children
together.
I want them to feel what I
feel… I know they would enjoy themselves and the kids, Your will be done.
Jesus, I pray that this blog reaches people
and speaks to their hearts.
That they are moved to make a difference.
P.S. Here is my teammate Darci’s last blog… you
can either send money to her quickly…or I will make a reserved account for
Diaper $ and get it to Forest (our contact) as soon as I get home.
We are working with an orphanage this month that houses
only handicapped children, whether physical, mental, or both. They have
over 40 children that live there year –round, where other orphanages usually
have some parents come and get their children for Christmas or other
celebrations. I had a chance to see these precious children today; about
half of them are completely bedridden and light up with a simple touch. I
prayed for them today as I stroked their little cheeks and pressed my forehead
against theirs. My hope was that by some simple touch – they might feel the
actual love and presence of Jesus! I was worried before going at what the
condition of this orphanage might be and was pleasantly surprised to see a very
maintained place. Each child has his/her own bed and they are separated
by age groups and abilities. The children seem very happy here and they
were all dressed in somewhat nice clothing.
After speaking to the director of the orphanage today,
their number one need (besides adoption of course) is diapers. They have
some sponsors that have helped them purchase beds and other needs for the
children, but again – their biggest need is diapers. Currently, they have
enough diapers for each child to be changed one – two times a day and
for children who will never have the ability to be potty-trained, this is just
not enough. Anyone who has children knows that 2 diapers a day is
absolutely not enough.
The cost of diapers here is between $10 -$20 a pack (the
bigger packs carry about 80 diapers). It is roughly 4 diapers / $1
depending on the size of the diapers. So, a donation of $30 could give a
child about a month’s worth of diapers. With the budget that we live off of –
we just do not have the ability to give like we would like to. Your help
is much needed and appreciated. If you would like to donate to this cause – you
can send money to:
Darci Simpson
19855 Cypresswood Dale
Spring, TX 77373
ATTN: DIAPERS!
My parents will make sure that it is deposited into the
account that I am using while I am on this Race. Please make sure that anything
you send, arrives in Spring no later than the 20th, so that I
can withdraw the money while I am still here. Wouldn’t it be amazing to
be able to give this orphanage the money for a year’s worth of diapers for all
these beautiful children … or more!
spirits – You can never understand how much God has used your words, your
dollars, and your prayers to bring His Kingdom down to earth this year!
“Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done – on earth as it is in Heaven”!!
