We had a great day at the orphanage today--Dema got to Skype with his babushka Dottie and his sister's family. He wanted Bubba to get tickled and wedgies! It's funny, he only knows individual words in English, but just kept saying I love you while talking to the kids!
We did get some really great pictures today, but I think the camera bit the dust! I'm going to fiddle with it tonight but may have to try and find a replacement tomorrow.
Today we brought bananas and plums for all the kids, so I guess you could say we "bought" our way into playing with the entire group! No, not really, but anyone coming needs to know that the caretakers really try to give parents one on one time with the kids, so playing with the group needs to be initiated by the parents through the teacher.
Once everyone was out in the room, we brought out the blow up punching balls and the boys had a blast! Again today, when we gave out the food, the kids immediately gave back to us--we each ended up eating numerous chunks of their bananas! I just can't believe how sharing, giving, and caring this young group of boys are--It just amazes me that they can live with such little hope, and few if any possessions, but whatever they have they are wiling to give away! To anyone adopting...you truly are on a rescue mission! There doesn't seem to be many possibilities here for them, at 16 they "graduate" from the orphanage--the majority of the boys turn to a life of crime, while the majority of the girls turn to prostitution! A fact that all families from the hosting program knew, but it doesn't really hit you until you meet these kids!
There are two young girls who every time they see us, come running up to us and just say "hello", but it isn't their words that impact you, it is the look in their eyes just saying "please help us!!"
I saw little Nastya today and she wanted me to chase and tickle her in the worst way, but every time I was ready to go over and "get" her, the caretaker would poke her head out the door and glare! (I was intimidated!)
Nastya, Vika, and Kartya came to visit for a little bit...I think Vika will be a daily fixture just checking to see if Janel and Mick have made it yet!! We wish we could have rounded up Nastya for the skyping, but we aren't too comfortable running to get kids just yet...maybe next weekend! And, we did have opportunity to give Kartya her gift from Paul and Michelle--she was very happy to get it!
"Grandma " Dottie has been on cloud 9 all day. we've got our ss class & pastor Denny working on mega prayers to stop the international adoption vote. Those kids need all the help they can get !
ReplyDeleteAs bad as the problems here are, we know many orphan grads who are succeeding, and who are doing well with their studies in university. We know many kids who even live in their own apartments now, and who are even attending church regularly. It's a joy to see so many kids succeed. The problem I see most with the ones not doing as well is how so many love to drink and party. It's "culture" here. Vodka is like water to too many.
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