Coke and Cake

I have just a few minutes at the internet cafe as I am soon headed out to see if I can get internet at the house. YIPPEEE!!! Hopefully I will be able to upload pictures soon. Please pray for the connection, as this is a third world country. Everything takes a lot longer and is more complicated. (In fact, I hopped back on the internet after typing that as my ride couldn't find me here at the cafe and now I will be going tomorrow. Oh well. All in God's timing.)

Oh Vista church, I wish you could see our children. They are so cute and happy. How much more they enjoy being with Americans and are more comfortable than the last time I was here this summer with Cristen. I gave them each the kids camouflage Vista shirts, and they wore them the other night. What a reminder that they are our children. I have a couple of pictures that I hope to upload soon.

Whenever the kids see the van pull up, there is a chorus of cheers. It's hard to even get out the door because they all press up against it in order to get the first hugs. I find myself tripping over children trying to get out of the way for others. In fact, yesterday we got to the school to teach English, and our littlest girl at the Vista orphanage wanted me to pick her up. My hands were full with my backpack and water and I had kids hanging on all sides of me. But she wrapped her little arms around my legs and was not going to let me move no matter what I did. So much different than the last time when she was more content to hang with the other children than us! She found me again last night when the kids were watching the little video we brought and she sat on my lap all night.

A difference I notice here than in Thailand is that the older kids are much more affectionate here. They want attention just as much as the little ones and will snuggle into your side for as long as you let them. Two nights ago, it was the Vista boys that found me during the video...one on each side. I tell you, it's a joy and a privilege to be able to provide a safe and unconditional love to them. I can't say thank you enough times for supporting me. You are all as much a part of them feeling loved as I am.

The American team that was here went home last night, so we had a special time with cake and coke. Each kid got two pieces of cake and their own can of coke. They could hardly contain themselves with the excitement. How precious it is to see how much they appreciate what we can take for granted. When they heard that there was cake, they jumped up and down screaming for joy. One little girl hugged me tightly and said, "God is so good to me." Puts things all into perspective yet again.