Wow. What a day... again! I got to live a dream that I've had since I became a sponsor. The dream of visiting a child development center on project day. This is the day that ALL the kids are there receiving the many benefits that are given to children lucky enough to be enrolled in Compassion's projects. We were greeted by the children singing and dancing for us as we exited the bus. They then took us into their beautiful church to preform for us. They thanked us over and over and over again for loving them. It was so humbling. We fed them a breakfast of porridge and 2 slices of sweet bread. Even the smallest of children ate everything that was given to them. We then taught them arts and crafts and made sock puppets and collages. The kids had so much fun with the crayons and stickers! They couldn't decide whether to hold your hand or actually work on the project they were supposed to be creating. So much fun to watch! After crafts we played with soccer balls and balloons. We danced and sang. But mainly we cuddled. We held children in our arms, held their hands, and high fived until our cheeks were numb from smiling so much! After "play time" we served the children the second meal of the day. They were given a large scoop of rice, greens, and beans. Again, HUGE hot portions... and the kids licked their plates clean. For most of them this is the main meal that they will eat all week.
The most pure absolute joy that I was able to experience this day was when I was given the honor to meet the child of a friend. Her name is Robyn and her little boy, a tiny 7 year old, is Charles. I met Charles in the morning so I was able to observe him all day and try to decipher the kind of kid that he is. He is the kind of child that is rather timid. Always watching the other kids. I could just tell that his wheels were turning. Occasionally he would run up and kick the soccer ball or bat the balloon. Several times I caught him looking at me. After our group had our lunch in the afternoon I went and found Charles. I grabbed his hand and sat him on a bench outside of our bus. I then went on the bus and pulled out a few gift bags filled with a new outfit, a hat, school supplies, candy, a tarp to protect their homes, a towel and wash clothes, a blanket, and - most impressively to Charles - a new soccer ball and pump! I'm not sure that Charles understood what was going on at first. I put the over sized hat on his head and handed him the soccer ball. We sat there for a few minutes while he had a look of awe on his face. Then, fortunately, someone came over to translate. They told Charles that the gifts were for him and they were sent from his sponsor. He immediately leaped up and threw his arms around me! He knew then of the love that Robyn had sent for him had materialized not only by a lot of hugs from me but several wonderful presents. He stood there for probably 5 or 10 minutes with his arm around me until I stood up and proceeded to show him some of the other items in his bag. He was, of course, most engrossed in the soccer ball. He just kept staring at it in adoration. When other children would come around and try to put their hands on it he would let them, but he tightened his grip...
At the end of the day we went back into the church and were presented with presents from the project and sent on our way with many prayers and many blessings. The children led us out to the bus singing, "Bye Bye Visitors, Bye Bye Visitors, Bye Bye Visitors, May God Bless You!" I was on the bus and looking for sweet Charles with his big bright eyes and endearing smile when he locked on to me and walked confidently up to the bus and reached up to me and grabbed my hand in thanks. It was all I could do to hold back the sobbing...
Thank you Robyn for affording me to opportunity to share your love with such a precious little boy!
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