Day 2

The people here have absolutely stolen my heart. They are all so extremely sweet. It is better than anything I could have ever hoped for. Church was so beautiful and wonderful. We gave the Walsh's sponsor childern coins for tithe and they were so excited. That is something I will never forget. Those boys were so excited that they had something to give! Thats's so beautiful. Spencer, Bailey, Erin and I got to play with the power toddlers for a long time and some others from the group came to visit them. Those boys really stole my hearts. I gave them all of my bracelets and they were so excited. They were so excited to recieve so small to us. Erin said she had a lot of fun. Returning missionaries got to see their sponsor children and take them to the store. Spencer, Bailey, Erin and I got to take 4 boys with us to the store. We got to talk to them for a long time and it was so nice. One medium boy, Eduardo, asked if America was beautiful. We told him it was very beautiful and we showed him poo tires. He was so mesmerized. We had 3 speakers who shared their testimonies and I must say it was amazing. Here is a devotional Greg shared with me; 

"Last night we heard from 3 staff members at the Orphanage who all grew up here. Their stories were heart-wrenching and included unimaginable circumstances; one who was abandoned at age 4 and lived on the streets for 2 years before coming here. Another, also abandoned with a prostitute and drug addict for parents. Still another who was sexually abused and decided at 13 to die. God provided and preserved each of them even though at the time they didn't realize it. For their part, they persevered. They did what they had to do in order to survive. Along they way they recognized God's hand in their circumstances. They realized that He was with them even though it was still very difficult. The painful memories haven't gone away, but they have been superseded by the acknowledgment of God's love, and the praises flow as a result. One is dedicated to helping Mami and Papi as they age. One is getting married next year. One has been to seminary and has returned to serve in whatever capacity needed. In every case they said their testimony is no greater or less than anyone else's; their circumstances no better or worse. How humbled were we all to hear that God is faithful in all circumstances and that we all have a story to tell. Truly we witnessed 3 who have received the crown of life even now. Their life will continue to be hard by our standards. But their praise of the One is has never left them and will never leave is strong. Today we see God more clearly. Today we are blessed." 

Everyone here is so kind and wonderful. I love getting to meet everyone.