We had a great day this week at an orphanage known as For His Children. It was started by a California man that felt God leading him out of his law practice to care for children on the margins in Quito. This facility is nothing short of top notch. We were truly amazed. It is really a campus of several buildings in a park-like setting with beautiful trees and flowers everywhere. We were greeted by a hummingbird on the way in and I knew this was going to be a special day.
We got a tour and then settled in to hang out with some of the kids for a couple hours. Michelle and Mallory were recruited to tend to some infants and the rest of us stayed with some older kids. The orphanage cares for a lot of special needs children and there were several in our group.
While most of the kids were playing, I felt drawn to a girl named Maria laying on a blanket in the yard. I don't know the details of her condition, but she was blind and could not control any of her limbs or even hold her head up. As I carried her around the grounds, she grew agitated and I wasn't sure what to do. I knew that her hearing was OK, so I just started talking to her.
I described to her the beauty of the flowers and trees all around us. I told her that I was certain that one day in Heaven God would restore her body. She would run and jump like the other kids. And that she would gain her sight to take in all of the beauty and wonder of God's Creation. I think she will see more in an instant than I have seen in a lifetime.
Often during our stay in Ecuador, I have wondered what we were doing here. Not that we shouldn't be here, but just kind of probing why were in this place at this time. But when Maria fell asleep in my arms, I didn't need any explanations.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Last Days At The Dump
Today was the last day at the Dump. It was the sadest time i have been throught while we have been here besides when i miss my dog and grandparents. Yesterday we gave them the gifts using the money the kids at our church raised. We got them a babyswing and 5 alpaca blankets. They were so happy to get them. Today they threw us a last day party it made me more sad . I really am going to miss them. The teachers have been asking us if me and Ellie could stay in Euacdor lot longer and Ellie said yes!! We played a game where they tied a balloon on to all of our legs not my mom and dads and we had to try to pop each others balloon. Whoever had their balloon on still won and Jon won. The chef made us a cake it was good. When i come home i am going to blow up a picture of me with the kids.
Mallory
Mallory
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
For His Children
Today we went to the Orphanage. There were so many handicapped kids. They told us 40% of the kids are handicapped. They all were so cute .There was this little boy named Nicholas he bit me alot but he was so cute.After a while we went in the bulding and they kept on bringing more kids in for me and my mom to play with. When it was getting close to when we had to leave all the kids were in bed except for two. So I took the baby named Mateo and sat on a rocking chair and tried to get him to go to sleep. It was really fun. I liked the orphanage alot. Even though we were at an orphanage the kids were clean and had clean clothes and the place was really nice. Outside of each bedroom some college students drew a picture of each child that hangs on the wall. The teachers pointed out each one as we walked by so they must really appreciate them. The teachers are teaching them about Jesus. I am going to pray that when they get older they know that Jesus loves them and he is their father.
Mallory
Mallory
Ellie's day at the orphanage
Today we went to the orphanage called For His Children. I had fun there. There were lots of kids and one had a bandage on her eye. One girl couldn't move. They had to pick her up and walk with her. One girl who was playing with me was chasing me. And there was a dog and he jumped over the fence. It was giant. The kids didn't have moms or dads. That made me feel sad. It made me happy that there are teachers there that love the kids. One girl came out of a room and said hola to everyone. One boy when we first got there came over and hugged me and my sister and brothers. I love those kids especially the boy who gave me a hug. I hope the kids will have moms and dads soon who love them.
Ellie
Ellie
Monday, August 10, 2009
Thoughts from Jonny
Today we went to our friend Michelle's house. We took apart a rabbit cage and then we built a bench out of it. Then we helped her clean off her porch and we helped her clean up where the rabbit cage was. Then we got chinese food for lunch. Then we walked up to the plaza and got ice cream. Then we walked back to our house and said goodbye to Michelle.
Yesterday we went to a parade. We watched all the parade and we saw lots and lots of police and military. And there was some policemen on horses. And in the parade some of the floats shot up strips of paper and I got some. Then we went to lunch. And then on the way to lunch we saw a skate park with a big circle pipe. They had roller blades and bikes, but the bikes didn't go in the big pipe. We went to the food court in the mall to eat lunch.
All last week we went to the dump. We got to play with the kids. We went to this park on this tiny hill with the kids. Before we went to the park, we fed the kids. I helped feed Coco and Jhonathan.
Now I need to go take a shower cause my dad says I smell bad.
Jon
Yesterday we went to a parade. We watched all the parade and we saw lots and lots of police and military. And there was some policemen on horses. And in the parade some of the floats shot up strips of paper and I got some. Then we went to lunch. And then on the way to lunch we saw a skate park with a big circle pipe. They had roller blades and bikes, but the bikes didn't go in the big pipe. We went to the food court in the mall to eat lunch.
All last week we went to the dump. We got to play with the kids. We went to this park on this tiny hill with the kids. Before we went to the park, we fed the kids. I helped feed Coco and Jhonathan.
Now I need to go take a shower cause my dad says I smell bad.
Jon
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Words of Affirmation
During our time at Nuevos Amigos, we were asked to put on a workshop for the parents of the children enrolled in the school. Apparently, most of these folks did not have good examples to follow and really don't possess some of the basic skills required for successful parenting. The presentation was based on The Five Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman. There were over 80 parents in attendance, including many fathers, so we were very encouraged. We were also able to find the book in Spanish and hand it out to the staff and many of the parents, which was a big bonus.
One of the languages that children (and adults) feel love with is Words of Affirmation. These are words of encouragement for who you are, not what you have done. While preparing for the workshop, I was reminded of an experience that I later shared with the group.
When I was young, my parents used to have a bunch of their friends over periodically to eat and play silly games. One such game involved everyone secretly answering a question on paper and the others trying to guess their answer. The age old question came up "If you were stranded on a desert island and you could only take one thing, what would it be?" My Uncle Dwight said that he would take me and that it would never be boring! Maybe it was just a silly game, but his words demonstrated the value that he saw in me and I never forgot it.
The Bible says a lot about the power of the tongue. Proverbs 12:18 says this:
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
And Proverbs 15:4 says:
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Never underestimate the value in expressing words of affirmation to your kids, spouse or even complete strangers. You may never know what someone is going through and an encouraging word can be just what they need to hear. And they can last a lifetime. My Uncle Dwight is gone now, but I still remember those words spoken more than 30 years ago.
One of the languages that children (and adults) feel love with is Words of Affirmation. These are words of encouragement for who you are, not what you have done. While preparing for the workshop, I was reminded of an experience that I later shared with the group.
When I was young, my parents used to have a bunch of their friends over periodically to eat and play silly games. One such game involved everyone secretly answering a question on paper and the others trying to guess their answer. The age old question came up "If you were stranded on a desert island and you could only take one thing, what would it be?" My Uncle Dwight said that he would take me and that it would never be boring! Maybe it was just a silly game, but his words demonstrated the value that he saw in me and I never forgot it.
The Bible says a lot about the power of the tongue. Proverbs 12:18 says this:
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
And Proverbs 15:4 says:
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
Never underestimate the value in expressing words of affirmation to your kids, spouse or even complete strangers. You may never know what someone is going through and an encouraging word can be just what they need to hear. And they can last a lifetime. My Uncle Dwight is gone now, but I still remember those words spoken more than 30 years ago.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Street Kids Follow Up
The other day I blogged about two street kids we met at the park. (It was titled God Really Is In Control) It was one of those days that started out not so good and ended up amazing. So Sunday we went back to the park to meet Michelle and her street kids. I was so exctied to see if Jefferson and Eddie would show up. THEY CAME! We didn't see them until we were almost ready to go. I was so thrilled to see them. They seemed happy to see us too.
We were able to introduce them to Michelle. She talked to them a bit and found out that their parents were vedors in the park. We went to talk to them. She did the talking - I just smiled :) She told me as we walked away that she had explained that she wanted the boys to meet her on Sundays at 2:00 to play and talk. Dad seemed unsure at first but the more she talked the more interested he seemed. He ended by saying that he would send the boys next Sunday.
Michelle explained that they may bring a different dynamic to her group. She said that their father seemed quite involved with the boys which is unusual for the kids she deals with. She also said that the fact that the whole family was in the park together was not typical. The boys parents each had a cart that they were selling items from very near each other in the park.
How amazing that God used my family to make this introduction happen. I feel honored and blessed to have met these incredible boys. I pray that we will see them again this Sunday.
Michelle
We were able to introduce them to Michelle. She talked to them a bit and found out that their parents were vedors in the park. We went to talk to them. She did the talking - I just smiled :) She told me as we walked away that she had explained that she wanted the boys to meet her on Sundays at 2:00 to play and talk. Dad seemed unsure at first but the more she talked the more interested he seemed. He ended by saying that he would send the boys next Sunday.
Michelle explained that they may bring a different dynamic to her group. She said that their father seemed quite involved with the boys which is unusual for the kids she deals with. She also said that the fact that the whole family was in the park together was not typical. The boys parents each had a cart that they were selling items from very near each other in the park.
How amazing that God used my family to make this introduction happen. I feel honored and blessed to have met these incredible boys. I pray that we will see them again this Sunday.
Michelle
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