more about Children!! :)

Today we were finally able to go back to Maria Campi, an orphanage we went to a couple weeks ago. It is very hard to get in there, and they desperately need the help! We spent a couple hours there this morning, and we were exhausted both physically and emotionally! We walked into a room with about 26 children, running, screaming, crying, fighting....two girl's were overseeing, but they were not very interested in their job. As soon as we walked into the room, a little boy came running up to me and gave me a huge hug! Then he just claimed my lap, so we made our way around the room, making distractions, breaking up fights, drying tears, and taking away unsafe items they were playing with, (nails, garbage, little choke hazards). The noise in the room dropped immensely! It was amazing watching these children, it was a one for all! Fighting over toy's and hitting each other! Its called survival...its the only thing they know! They didn't really play with toy's they just carried them around, trying to keep them away from each other and collect the most! They are children, yet they don't know how to be children, yet they are so much like children! Orphans, that's what they are, they wear that label, they don't have the choice to be anything else. So we took them outside, and I was trying to keep eight swings going, until I called out to Natasha in desperation to help me! They don't get tired of having some attention and I don't think they get much praise and admiration, which I was so thankful be to be able to give! My Spanish vocabulary does allow for that! Thankfully, a tia came to get them ready for lunch, she cared for the children, but what is one adult to 26 children? So we scrubbed hands and faces, and headed for the dining room! I have never seen anything like it! These children from age one and up feed themselves completely! Feed yourself or you don't eat.... So then we tried to help lay them down, but they were all just screaming, and taking their diapers off. So Natasha and I decided it was probably time to go, so we went out back with the older children and played sharks vs. trampoline! They each asked both Natasha and I our names, even though they had just heard us tell the other child before them. For some reason, Brianna is really hard to say! So most people just call me Natasha or Senorita, but that's ok, because I love being called Senorita! :) 

This afternoon, I went to A Pan De Vida, it is sort of like a soup kitchen. They do bible study's and classes and things, plus serve food! So I peeled and grated carrots, then Tanya, and I did dishes.....lots of dishes! I believe we served over 100 people.

It was really neat to see this ministry, and everyone working together to further the kingdom of God!

Not in our name,

     or in the name of our church, 

     or in the name of our ministry,

     or in the name of the Church,

We are to make deposits in the name of Jesus.

 Beth Guckenberger

So tonight I am feeling slightly overwhelmed, and extremely exhausted, a little sun burnt and a little cold from walking through the rain! but I know that my God is in control! He cares for me, and for these little ones.