It's tough..

being an orphan. We visited Maks, Alona, and Natasha for the 7th straight day and it is becoming increasing hard to not see that these children need so much more than they have. Based on what we could gather from some previous conversations with Maks and Alona last summer and from pictures and letters, I think I was lulled into thinking that these children had all their needs and even some of there wants all taken care of. During a recent visit from another family adopting from this orphange, we were told that money we had sent was going to be used to buy Christmas gifts for the children. Because they had what they needed, the family asked the kids what they wanted! Maks wanted a book with poictures of animals, Alona and Natasha dolls. Guess what they got them and even showed them to use in their rooms. The pictures show "healthy" looking children. The pictures show a faciltiy that is clean and well cared for. The letters and conversations told us that they had 3 meals and a couple of snacks a day. The pictures, letters and convesations suggested that these children live in a "very nice" orphange compared to most others.

After spending quite a bit of time at the orphanage, it is becoming very evident that while these children have their "basic" needs and maybe a few "basic" wants, they don't have what they REALLY need and that is a family caring for and loving them day in and day out. Don't get me wrong, the caregivers as best we can tell do a good job with what they have. They are responsible for a lot. On a given day, there are 2 maybe 3 caregivers assigned to a group of 12 or so children ranging from 1 years to 12. There is a lot for these caregivers to do. Clean, cook, care for children, etc.

Our "plan"while we are here is to start building (or in some degree, continue to build) a family with Natasha, Alona, and Maks. But I also feel the Holy Spirit impressing on me to try and reach out to the "other" children. The song "Jesus Loves The Little Children" keeps playing in my head. If Jesus really loves all these children, can't I? It's hard though. During the morning hours of our visits, there are lots of children outside playing, and "our" children don't want to share us so much. We understand that...I guess. I am trying to balance this delicate situtation. God give me the strength, wisdom, and peace to accomplish your plans while I am here, amen.

You cannot imagine how many children are attracted by the simple idea that we might share some love with them like we are sharing with Maks, Alona, and Natasha. They see us and want so desperately to talk and touch and laugh and play, and be close you us. Why is it so hard to give ourselves to the "other" children and so easy to give ourselves to "our" children. Why is it hard to touch, hold, rub, and talk to the "other" dirty children and so easy for us to do all those things with "our" dirty .children. I keep asking myself why it is so hard. It was easy for Jesus. He gave himself completely to everyone. He didn't mind touching the "dirty". He didn't mind talking to the less desirables. He just didn't mind. He was the perfect form of love. So perfect, He gave His live you you and for me.

I can't wait to start teaching "my" children this song. Maybe I'll just teach the "other" children too before I leave.

JESUS LOVES THE LITTLE CHILDREN
written by: unknown
(maybe Jesus himself - sound like something he would have sung, don't you think!?)

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

Whether you're rich or whether you're poor
It matters not to Him
He remembers where you're going
Not where you've been

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

If your heart is troubled
Don't worry, don't you fret
He knows that you have heard His call
And he won't forget

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

All around the world tonight
His children rest assured
That He will watch and He will keep us
Safe and secure

Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Black and yellow, red and white
They're all precious in His sight
Jesus loves the little children of the world

Blessings <><,

David