I can't believe I have been here for two weeks now! The time has flown by! The Lord has been so faithful to me. There are days that are lonely and discouraging, and other days that are easy and fun- but regardless, it is good to be here. Those times when it is hard, I find God gently reminding me "Anna, why are you here?"- and at those times when I get discouraged or distracted I must be reminded "I am here to represent Christ. I am here to make him known. I am here to serve. My life is not my own. It is not about me- it is about Him"
There are opportunities everywhere I look. Opportunities to talk to the Mammas, love the kids, help with the dishes, change a dirty diaper, wash clothes, mop a floor or make a fool of myself dancing and make everyone around roll on th ground in laughter.
Every day I find I fall more and more in love with these children- especially the girls here. I have always thought that babies were the age I love the most- and although I really do love the babies, I am finding something special in the girls who are older. Those times late at night when I am up with the older girls, when all the work for the day is done, and they can be children- I find a beautiful side of them start to come out. This side of them is very child-like, and it is beautiful. It is the side of them that laughs, that does impressions of people and movies, the side of them that wants to curl up next to me and be held like a little girl. The older girls have a lot of responsibilities during the day, they help out around the home alot, and tend to be more serious and quiet during the day. I am beginning to treasure those times at night when we all come together and get to hang out as girls.
We got a new baby a few days ago. His name is Pius. Pius was dropped off by his father at his grandmothers doorstep. The father has not been seen since, and no one knows who the mother is. When I first saw Pius, I was struck by how much he resembles Edwin- a little baby I was very attached to last time I was in Africa. I have quickly become very attached to Pius because of this. He has been pretty sick since we got him though and he was admitted to the hospital today. Please by praying for him. He is very frail and skinny. He keeps vomitting up any food that we get down him. We expect he will have to stay in the hospital for a few days.
Other than that, most of the kids are doing pretty well physically. There are always headaches, stomach aches, tooth aches, and any other ache or pain you could think of that occurs every day. But for the most part, the kids are pretty healthy. They really are a beautiful group of children. They truly are a blessing from the Lord.