Last Thursday Steph and I had the opportunity to volunteer for the whole day at the local orphanage. The usual staff got the day off to have some personal time, so we stepped up to help carry the burden of their absence.
The orphanage has 2 different houses, one of mostly girls, and the other of mostly boys. Steph and I were split up and I got sent to work in the girls' house. There were about 15 kids in the house ranging in age from 1 month to about 12 years old, but the majority were between 2 and 5 years old. As soon as I walked into the house, I could feel the love! The women that I was helping fill in for were so grateful and showered me with hugs and kisses. Also, a young girl named Priscilla immediately attached herself to me and fought for my love and attention for the entire day.
The day was jam-packed with fun and excitement! The day began with a morning devotional which consisted of meeting in an outdoor pavilion and crying out to the Lord in prayer... every child had the opportunity to pray! Then we gathered up all of the excited kids and took them to the small pool on the campus. I didn't have a swimsuit, but that didn't stop the kids from trying their best to soak me from head to toe! I borrowed some shorts and a t-shirt from one of the staff so that I could jump in without reservation and pool it up with the little ones. What a blast!
After the pool we headed back to the house for lunch followed by nap time! It was pretty nice to get a little break from the crazy kids! During nap time I should have opted to nap myself, but instead I got to spend time with one of the adorable baby girls. I haven't spent much time around babies in my life, so they always kind of intimidate me... but I really enjoyed my time with this little one. I must of held her for over an hour... rocking her, humming to her, getting her to smile and giggle, and just starring at her and marveling at her beauty and innocence. What an incredible miracle from God!
It wasn't long until the rest of the kids woke up from their naps and the chaos continued! We mostly just ran around outside until the beloved staff women returned to resume their duties. At the end of the day I was completely exhausted!
Growing up I was never convinced that I ever wanted to have children of my own... mostly because I was afraid I would screw them up or they would hate me or because this world is too messed up and broken to bring innocent children into. But... during the last couple months I've spent a ton of time with young kids... and it's actually having the opposite effect that I expected! Now I am actually warming up to the idea of having children of my own someday!
3 comments:
hahaha, pool it up! you're great. sounds like you had some well-behaved little ones to look after. you're a good person to look after kids because you're not afraid of being silly and having fun with them. you'll probably make a great mom!
Thank you God!
Hey Aunt Ali (to be), looks like you are all trained up on childcare. Bring on the new nephew/neice.
Maybe we will have grandchildren from both of our kids someday!!!
Love you & miss you so much, Dad
Babies are a blessing!
Glad to see that you're warming up to babies. (especially since you are going to have a baby niece/nephew)
Love you sis!
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