Play Time

Today, I woke up and decided that after yesterday's adventure (read the next post), I just needed to go out to our orphanage and hang out with our kids. I don't usually go on Saturdays, because it's my day off. But I thought it would be good to remind myself of why I am here. It was a good choice. I had a thoroughly enjoyable time.

It took Megan and I a little while to get there. We had to take motos, and at first our drivers were headed the wrong way. (I'm just glad that I now have a good sense of the city to realize that we were not going the right direction or who knows where we would have ended up.) Then the moto I was on got a flat tire, and we had to flag down another one. But we eventually made it in time for play time.

Our orphanage (as in Vista's) sits on a good-sized lot so there is plenty of room for the kids to play games. They have balls and badminton (which they love!). And they also have a few toys like tea sets and trucks. But honestly, they are quite content to make up games with sticks and rocks and dirt.

The kids play so well together. They laugh together, include one another, take turns, and readily offer whatever toy they are using to someone else. That's a feat when only 2 or 3 kids are involved...imagine 17! Whenever I am around them, I am continually blessed by their sweet spirits and giving hearts. And I am thankful that after all they have been through, they are still able to be little children and seem untouched by this world. How that happened is beyond me, knowing the stories of pain in their pasts.

Below is a small video of some of the kids playing that I shot with my digital camera. You can hear me laughing in the middle of it, because one of the kids tried to hide behind me to keep from getting tagged with the ball.

Below is a video of our littlest girl, Kimhou. This kept her busy for quite some time! I just thought it was cute.

One thing that I am excited about is that I can almost call all of our kids by name. There are just a couple left that I am not sure of yet. I can't wait till February when some of you from Vista will be able to come here and meet them for yourselves!

Here are some more random shots from the day.

The kids play ball.

Senghong plays with a stick in the dirt. He always has that smile!

Yohan and his truck

Teemotay...could he be any cuter?

It's tea time!

Mud pies anyone?

Not sure what the game is, but they were having fun!

Rebekah

Rose

I love how they gather to say good-bye when we leave.

It was a joy to get to see our kids just be kids today. Thank you, Vista, for giving to these precious children!