Faith and Sweat

Day 4

Very mixed emotions day.  Today will be our last day at the orphanage.  I am missing the sounds and smiles of my own family but it will be tough to leave.  Kind of odd, but I don't miss the comforts of home much.  I am really surprised how quickly we grew closer to these kids.

On the way to the orphanage Mike talks gives a good sermon and prayer that really fires me up and gives me extra (not that I needed any) motivation.

Renee and Kevin have a good talk with Didie this morning to find out where the most need is.  Some of the biggest needs are beds.  They also could use a stove and a fridge.  Didie explained that most girls become prostitutes or are sex slaves.  That was really hard to hear.

There is still plenty to do today so different ways we go.  Christy, Chad and I dig out the well where it has pretty much been filled in by the dirt dug up from the new septic.  The rest of the team is helping with the cement work.  It's another hot one today but we are all really working our hardest today since we know this is it.

Finishing touches are being put on the exterior and interior so the kids can move in soon.  One little pickup brings three big loads of concrete block that will be used as the walls for the septic and a couple other projects.  The men here do really good work.  Especially considering it's all by hand.

The rest of the day is spent with the kids.  We just play!!!  It's a lot of fun.  There are kids everywhere just laughing and running around.  Some of the girls are doing Bri and Renee's hair.  Of course many pictures being taken especially by the kids themselves.

The time has come for us to go and Elizabeth gathers us all with the interpreter to give us a few parting words.  She tells us she and the kids are thankful and grateful for all the hard work done.  She is more thankful for the interaction with the kids.  She says the kids say they had a lot of fun with us and they want us to stay.   The kids won't stop giving hugs and fives.  Quite a few or the kids are in tears which makes it extra hard to leave.

The ride back to the hotel is a mix of smiles, tears and stories.

Tonight Didie takes us out for a nice seafood dinner to thank us for our hard work.  This trip for me was about new experiences and food is definitely one of them.  I am not real big on seafood but here goes.  The appetizers are fried shrimp wantons, fried tuna roll ups and some kind of veggie seafood hush puppie thing.  WOW are they all good!!!!  Now dinner.  Grilled Sarde.  The whole fish.  Bone, head and tail.  This is delicious!!! So juicy and tender and the flavor yummy!!!  The restaurant is a beautiful and outdoors.  A nice warm evening with good food and people is a nice way to end our amazing trip.