Smile the day away, children of God...

As I glimpse at these photos, I realize how new smiling is to these children... All coming to us serious, quiet and hurting. We always to try remind and encourage our staff as we pour ourselves out for these children; they are hurting on the inside... but outwardly expressive of their gratitude for the opportunity to grow up with a hope for the future. Even Tonny, (3) is very open about this. These children have spent their lives working, collecting water, searching for food... and their mentalities show this. They collect the plates to clean them after eating, they help one another to go to the toilet as an older sibling knows to do, they vouch for each other and stick up for one another. They are becoming a family.
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Something I forget to often is that when a child looses a loved one, or "ones" many emotions battle and rage within them. Confusion, anger, loneliness, they become insecure of their surroundings, insecure of their future. Children need our guidance, they need love, comfort, reassurance, an example to follow... they need help.
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I sit back often while playing and loving on the kids and just watch them smile. To know a joy and relief is bursting from their hearts. This is what life is all about. Sacrificing ourselves for others. An example Jesus lived. Today I think on that beautiful scripture "for those who are in Christ will walk as He did." Its funny how we would believe the children are the ones who would benefit from what we are doing here... but I am confident the benefits go both ways. No greater joy then to see a child who hungers to hunger no more, a child who is afraid to be comforted, a child who longs to be loved to know a true love from the Father. Until next time...
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P.S. Pictured above, our 3 older boys going to school on a motto; they are going to transfer schools next week, and their current school is far away! They just got a uniform yesterday for school and were so happy! Usually, if you didn't have a uniform while all the other students do, you are considered very poor. Now, they have a uniform and are happy to fit in! They told us their teachers, friends and other students were all making comments on how nice they looked! And it made them feel so good!