Fireworks and Dancing

So...I have this backpack that I bought here at the Russian Market. (I will have to do a whole post on that place some other time!) If you are coming to Cambodia, I highly recommend bringing a small backpack so that you can have what you might need at all times. Bug spray, water, toiletpaper (most public toilets don't have it:), hand sanitizer (no soap there either), camera, etc. Whenever someone needs something, I usually have it.

But tonight, I am SO sad because I left my camera at home!! The only time I have done that and I missed so many good shots. We went out to the school when it got dark and all the kids were there. We brought marshmallows and fireworks. Two big treats. I think most of those kids had never seen fireworks before.

They had so much fun, jumping up and down and squealing with delight. But the real fun for me started afterward when they turned on music through the speakers. It turned into a dancefest. I so wish I had video of it. Especially of two of the smaller Vista boys. I know their dance moves would have been instant hits on Youtube. I will have to try to get them to recreate it for the camera.

A highlight of the night for me, though, was an interaction that I had with some new girls. I had posted before about the new orphanage - Prek Eng 4. Just yesterday, 5 new girls arrived there from pretty far away from Phnom Penh. As sweet as could be, but understandably shy - especially with foreigners and kids going crazy over fireworks and music.

You could see them watching everything all night. When we show up, the kids bombard us with hellos and hugs. Sometimes we will have kids 3 deep around us trying to hug us. And you could see these kids watching...not sure of what was going on, but wanting to join in. I don't know their stories yet, but they were obviously in need of affection.

So the music started and kids were dancing everywhere. I looked over and saw these 5 girls standing off to the side just watching everything. I went over to them to say hello and put my arm around each of them. When the song changed, I grabbed one of the girl's hands and just started moving back and forth with her. Then her sister came over. Before long, all five were clapping and smiling and enjoying themselves.

One of my goals whenever I am around the kids is to look for the shy ones. Most of the kids are outgoing and rush right up...but a few hang back and watch. They want to be held just as much, but aren't as aggressive about seeking it. So, I look for them and make sure that they get a hug before I leave. You can see in their faces that it was exactly what they wanted.

When we left for the night, these five girls came up to give me a hug. The littlest one wrapped her ams around my legs. And I thought, this is why I am here. Nothing else matters. The bugs, the heat, the amount of time everything takes, the dirt...I will deal with every bit of it if it means that these kids know that they are loved and valued. Five girls lost everything and moved to an unknown place to be around people they don't know. I pray that tonight they are a little more comforted and know that they are safe and loved.