In Their Own Words

I really did intend to put up a new post last night, but when I got home from dinner, I found out the power was out. It didn't come back on for about 5 hours. Talk about hot! As the weather gets warmer and more people start to use the AC again, this is becoming a more frequent occurrence. Not enough power in this city for everyone. It's one of those little perks of living in a third world country.

So, on to today...If you scroll through the posts from the last couple of weeks, you will see that some friends from my church came on a short-term mission trip to visit the kids and encourage me. How wonderful it was!

This blog actually started in 2007 as a way to share information with the people back at Vista Community Church as a couple of us embarked on an exploratory trip. At that time, there was no Vista orphanage. We were sent to gather information about the possibilities of starting one either here or in Thailand.

In February of 2008, our orphanage in Prek Eng opened with 16 kids. I wish you could see the stark difference in our kids from those early moments to today. Just look at their faces from before. Sunken eyes. Thin frames. No smiles. If you read their stories, you can understand why.

I absolutely love our kids. What I love even more is that the community at Vista has fallen in love with them too. They are no longer 16 orphans...they are our children. They are a part of our family. So, what a joy to have people from Vista get to know our kids! Morgan, Gina, Kim, and our pastor, Mike, all visited at the beginning of this month. They were able to experience first-hand what it is like to be mobbed by our kids upon arrival at the orphanage. And to get more hugs than you could imagine.

I asked the ladies a few questions about their time here, and thought I would share with you some of their answers...

What was one of your favorite moments?

Gina: It's hard to narrow it down to just one! A lot of my favorite moments were when we were just hanging out with the kids! ALL OF THE HUGS and just feeling how much love and support there is! I also really think I enjoyed seeing the kids at the dance party having so much fun and feeling almost care-free!! The waterpark was a blast...the kids were hilarious! It was a really amazing moment when we first arrived at the school the first day and all the kids were lined up. As we walked in they all started clapping and were so excited for us to be there! It was crazy to think that they love me so much already and they don't even know me! Another thing that I am so happy about is that we had the opportunity and were blessed to be able to come meet the kids at the Vista orphanage...and put a personality with the faces we have been seeing for so long!!!!

Morgan: Pulling into the school and seeing the children for the first time. I will never forget that feeling. I felt overwhelmingly loved. I also loved each day finding out more about the kids personalities. For so long we have seen pictures and videos. To be able to put those faces to individual personalities was such a joy!

Kim: Many favorite moments just being with the kids and letting the kids be kids. Playing volleyball with the older boys, sitting in the chair and just holding the little ones. These are kids have different stories (see previous blog entries about their history) but all they want is to be kids and be loved.

What would you want to share about our kids and staff at the orphanage?

Gina: We are so fortunate to have the staff we have...they are so full of love and take such good care for the children! Savong and Pisey are amazing with the kids! They do such a fantastic job and we are so blessed to have them looking after our kids!! I was immediately blown away by how loving the kids are themselves and how happy they are even though they may not have much! Love goes a long way! I always feel as if there are poor connotations to being an orphan in an orphanage...and find it hard to even call our kids "orphans." They all have amazing personalities and know how to have fun. They are smart, they are funny, and all have enormous hearts! I could go on and on...but just know that the love and care they are receiving truly comes from a higher place!!

Morgan: Our kids are such a joy! I think that it is true that are kids are better off than a lot of kids that have parents. I know that they will grow to have some amazing opportunities. I have actually talked about the staff a lot. I tell others that the staff was amazing. You can see when they look at the children how much they love those kids. It is so neat to see parents of their own children love a group of kids the very same. The really care about the children.

Kim: I really admire the staff who pour their lives into these kids - they really truly loves these kids. The joy is evident on the faces of the kids.

Did you have any fears about going on a mission trip? What would you tell someone who is wavering about going?

Gina: I don't know if I had too many "fears," but of course I just prayed for things like safe travel and health. One thing I was more nervous about is, most of the time...well a lot of the time, I am not a "kid-friendly" person. I'm not one who enjoys babysitting, playing with kids very much, very motherly, and tend to not be very good at comforting...I'm just not a kid person! Haha. I don't want to say I dislike kids in the United States...but our kids are very different (in my eyes...they may not be I don't know). I fell in love with each and every one of them. I was so happy I didn't feel how I normally felt when I'm around a group of children...wanting to pull my hair out! The opportunity to spend time with these kids I will cherish forever and quite possibly was the best time of my life!!

Morgan: I was very nervous about the food and smells. I normally don't even have Asian food here in the states, let alone in Asia! I was a little nervous about how my body would handle tastes I did not like and smells that were so strong. But, it was never a big issue. I would tell others that you will never have to worry about "finding" a meal, and I think after a bit you get used to some of the smells... maybe not all :).

Kim: Yes. I knew that saying yes to going on the trip was saying yes to a life changing experience, and don't we all want our lives to be changed to glorify God. Through obedience I have come to see His face and character better. It has made me a better wife, mother and person.

If you would like to hear more about their trip, you can listen online here.

If you are interested in seeing these children (and many more!) for yourself, consider coming on one of the short-term trips in June. I know that Vista is planning on sending more people. But there are also summer trips through the Asia's Hope organization as well.

As these ladies can attest, it will be a life-changing experience!