Two weeks from Tuesday I’ll be on a plane headed home. Are you kidding me? I can’t tell you how many times a day I think about it. Every time I hug a kid, I think, ‘How many more times will I get to do this?’ Mary Ellen and I are almost obsessed talking about it; to be honest, it´s driving me crazy. I constantly wonder what it will be like to not share a room with 40 little girls, yadda yadda yadda. Can I be real with you- I´m tired of talking about it. But seriously, I can’t believe we’re leaving. So I’m gonna talk about it some more. Haha.
I know some of you who keep up with the blog have made visits down to see the kids, so you know what it’s like to leave. Being my first trip down here, two weeks from now will be my first time leaving. I don’t know what it will feel like, but I can tell you that I’m not looking forward to it. Note to the fam: Yes, I want to see all of you. Yes, I want to come home. But it’s just that I live with 100 kids and a handful of staff and it’s pretty stinkin’ cool. Anyway… because I know I’m leaving in a couple weeks, my body is beginning to shut down from “I work at an orphanage” mode. It seems that I’m tired more easily and am ready for bed a little earlier. Visions of carpet and couches and my own room more frequently visit my thoughts, especially as the days are becoming colder. (It snowed here last night, by the way.) Sometimes I just want to curl up and read a book or chat with someone over coffee, without being surrounded by children who probably need to bathe, even if they just have (because they always manage to get dirty again in a matter of seconds). But here’s the thing, being at home means not being surrounded by lots of little ones. If I told you that I was completely comfortable here, I’d be lying. At home I will be physically comfortable, but goodness, I can’t picture life without Rubi and Karla and Rebecca and the twins and Jacquelin and all the rest of them. It’s funny how that happens; 5 months ago I didn’t even know them. So, this is where I am. Ready for a rest, but not quite ready to go. Maybe this means I’ll be back. Actually, I’m sure I’ll be back. But will I come for a week long visit, as most do, or will I once again find myself telling my friends and family that I’m moving to Mexico for a bit? I dunno. A big part of me hopes the latter. Only time (and prayer and counsel from family and friends) will tell, I suppose.
I guess I´d be shorting all of you if I didn´t tell you that I was in an awful car accident on Thursday. Truck accident, actually. The beautiful red truck that we all know and love is officially scrap metal. By the grace of God, I was spared. I´m only suffering from minor aches and pains, but the truck, however, is finished. Another truck pulled out in front of me on a highway going a ridiculously slow speed, and I had no choice but to hit him. He was fine, as well, thankfully. I was alone- another blessing. No kids were involved. And the way the whole thing turned out is really amazing. The local and federal police came out, and they were graceful with both parties, which is unheard of here. A man who was fluent in English gave me a ride home, and took Mama and I all over the place to transport the milk and bread from the truck, as well as the truck itself (which was missing a wheel, so it couldn´t be driven), back to the orphanage. On the way, however, this man tried to impress us, showing us his land, 800 goats (so he says, but Mama and I didn´t see them), and other things that he owned. Mama took the opportunity to share a little about the orphanage with him, who made it very obvious that he had a lot of money. She also told him about ¨Navidad en la Calle¨ in hopes that he´d want to help. (This is why I love Mama- the woman has no fear. Here we are, riding around with a stranger in his fancy truck. He buys us food from a gas station and is taking us all over the place in hopes to impress us (I guess, don´t really know) and all I can think about is how much I want to go home. Mama, on the other hand, is in the front seat on a mission. I love it. The man actually told her that he´d help the orphanage with paying for insurance. Pray that it actually happens.) Also, please pray that the Lord provides another vehicle for the staff. There are so many errands that have to be run every week, and with one less vehicle, making everything happen will be more challenging. I feel awful that this has happened, but am constantly reminded by Mama and the kids that we have to praise the Lord that I noone was hurt. Trucks are replaceable, right? Please pray with me that this one is replaced soon. I´m hoping to start a truck fund, so let me know if you´re interested in contributing.
Plans for Navidad en la Calle (Christmas in the Streets) are coming along. I don’t know too much because I’m not very involved with the whole thing, but as each day passes more needs are being met. It’s amazing to me that this event, which is providing food, entertainment, and Christmas gifts for 3,000 children, is being hosted by an orphanage. An orphanage! Churches, organizations, and private parties are stepping up to make the day possible, which is a result of lots of prayer and perseverance of Mama, Papa, and the staff. I know that a huge need at this point are the gifts. (We’re hoping to provide a shoebox-sized gift for every child that will include personal hygiene products, toys, etc. ) Please be in prayer that we would have all 3,000 gifts on December 8!
PS- This is my 88-year-old grandpa, who acts about half his age, from Thanksgiving last year. (Hey, grandpa.) Incase you´re wondering, Mary Ellen and I were able to celebrate the holiday with Mama and Papa, and a few other Americans who invited us into their home. We ate and laughed all night long. It was a blessing.
And Merm and I want to say hey to our dear friends at Vine Street. Thank you for supporting us financially and in prayer. We can´t wait to see you in a few weeks!
We painted one afternoon when lots of the kids didn´t have school (we used the watercolors that the Michigan group donated). Avelardo is displaying my awesome artwork, which was inspired by Axel (pictured above).
Karen loves to play a game we call ¨Ojos¨which is pretty much a staring contest inwhich you´re allowed to blink. In honor of the game, Merm painted this for Karen. Karen is seen here, demonstrating how the game works.
Oh, this is terrible. Flor and Jazmin are supposedly going home tomorrow to live with their dad and grandmother. Really, it might be a good thing. I just love them and selfishly want them to stay at the orphanage forever. This was taken yesterday.
Brisa was my bed buddy one night last week. I love this girl. Here she is jamming to some worship music from my amaaaaazing church.
Jazmin, super tired from dancing in the parade.
Well, another Sunday night is here. Merm and I will head back to the house in a couple of hours to find everyone asleep (we hope). Tonight we´re going to wake up Flor and Jazmin to let them sleep with us. And tomorrow will start another week. Thanks for keeping up with what´s going on here. Peace,
Lauren
