The Kids

I know that God brought me here for a reason and I can’t get rid of this feeling that this isn’t temporary. He is doing something big in my heart and in my life. He has given me this overwhelming love for this place. He has convicted me on so many things, challenged me in things I have never known, loved me in ways that only he can, given me more than I deserve, and broken my heart so that I can never be the same. He has shown me how weak I am, how selfish I am, how lost I am. He has given me this need for him that I have never known and filled my life with more than I could ever ask for. He has gently told me what I need to work on, and given me enough grace and love to face those things so that I can truly live. He is teaching me that this life I am living is for him, he has invited me to share it, and learn from it. He has shown me that in my brokenness there is beauty that can only come from him. I am learning to love in ways that I never knew possible. I am learning to let go of the control, I am not meant to have it. He is showing me that having less so that someone else can have more is what love is all about. My heart is constantly breaking so that more love than I can imagine can come in.  This is what my life was meant for. 

The children:

                                     

Elia is the smartest most talented little boy. He is at the top if his class and his brain is like a sponge. All new information soaks right in. He is loving, and playful, and likes to pretend he is Spiderman. He recently whispered to me, “I have a crush on you”. He is one of those kids that makes you fall in love quickly.

Elisha is the most adorable little boy I have ever seen. Right from the start we formed a bond and he is always seen near me. We just learned that he can’t read or write and some of the other kids are helping to teach him. He loves taking pictures, and has an eye for beauty.

Goodluck is the laziest and biggest complainer out of all our kids, and it is hilarious! He wears really baggy clothes, but he is actually a very small kid. He loves to play games on my computer, and he is quite the cuddle bug. 

                                 

Ima probably knows the most English, but it took him awhile to start using it. He is extremely talented and inventive. He made a night light out of a small light bulb, wire, and some batteries. I can always count on him for a good laugh. 

                                            

Hosea is one of our older boys, and probably our most difficult one. He has seen so much heart ache in his life. His mother is still living in the village, but does not want him to come home. I can’t even imagine what that would feel like, and my heart just breaks for him. There are moments when he lets me in and I think he is starting to trust me. We have bonded over spiderman, and they are excited that I let them watch action movies. 

                                                  

Ziada lives in her own little world and that world is a beautiful place. She is always smiling and acting silly, she is my little ray of sunshine. While Goodluck is our resident complainer, Ziada is a close second. She is one of the most adorable little girls I have ever seen.

                                 

Priska or Pili for short, is a special sort of girl. There is something off about her, but it never slows her down. She also lives in a place we like to call “Priska Land”. We have made a special connection and she always wants to help me with things. While mentally she is probably among the youngest, she is actually starting to mature in ways most of the other kids are not. She does things without being asked and she always has a smile on her face and a song in her heart.

Tumpe is our mother child. She is the oldest and the most mature. At first she was pretty standoffish with me, but now we are buds! Corrinne and I had to buy her, her first bra and it was exciting to be a part of a young woman’s growing. She was so excited to get it, and after trying it on to find a perfect fit she came and thanked me with a sparkle in her eye.

                             

Elenesta is our next top model. Her features are stunning and she usually has a big toothy smile on her face. I can always expect big hugs from her. She is also one of the older girls and is starting to become quite the lady.

Jeneti has the biggest heart. She has so much love to go around. She is one of our quieter kids; I think she likes to soak things in from a distance. She is also one of the harder ones to get close to, but I think we are almost there.

Eliza and I have become pretty close over the last few weeks. She likes to spend a lot of time with me and I feel the same way. She is also one of our quieter kids, but she has her moments of crazy. She is not as outspoken as some of the others, but she has a lot to say when given the chance.

All of the kids are fantastic, and my heart just swells for them. We are having so much fun these days (like there ever weren’t fun times). We taught them how to play spoons last week and it was hilarious. The more advanced kids picked it right up and we had tons of fun. Ima was our top winner.

Corrinne and I just got back from Malawi, and it was such a nice relaxing weekend. We decided it was the perfect amount of time because we are ready to get back to the village today.

I am applying for my permit this week; it’s a long process so keep praying for it!

Thank you all for your continued love and support! It means a lot, and I am in need of it! (so is Sunrise)