Entry 3- 6/27/08

About 10:30AM-
Had a wonderful nights sleep and have finally met Ryan Finnie, Julie's husband and co-founder of the organization. I have also now met all the girls staying in my room and some who are not. The guys seem to be sleeping in! Besides Rachelle, I room with Kayley and Michaela. I have also met Chelsea, Kayleen, and Lexi. Everyone seems joyful, even Lexi who is not feeling well. We'll be having a group meeting shortly to discuss what we'll be doing the next few days. Then, we will leave on Monday and drive to Johanesburg to pick up more people. There is no set schedule, and yet there is. Ryan has many connections and seems to let God decide where and when He wants us. Also, I learned that Ryan is a member of the royal family in Zambia.
7PM:
Today after lunch, we went to a place called Barcelona Orphanage. Just the trip there left images permanently burned into my heart. The place was basically miles of desolation. Houses seemed to be made of anything available: tarps, cardboard, mismatched sheets of aluminum, car parts, tires, plastic bags, and cloths. These houses are so tiny and cramped, they look like they could be maybe one room. There were little shops, people cutting and selling chickens and other meats on rickety tables, steps away from children playing and heaps of garbage. It just seemed never ending. We winded our way through the place until we arrived at a larger, more stable looking building, the orphanage. The pastor talked with us about how God had placed him there, how he orginially had just thought to bring a church to the town, but ended up staying and starting the orphanage. He told us stories about some of the children and how they had come to be there. One girl was abused by her faither and when her mother tried to step in, she was stabbed and killed right in front of the girl. Several others were simply abandoned, thrown away. One was found still trying to feed from her dead mother's breast. Spending time praying with them, playing games and blowing bubbles...they loved it. And they are so beautiful. Their faces are so perfect, soft, so filled with light and happiness. They are so blessed in that place, despite the poverty they live in. The language barriers mean nothing: these children understand the language of love and affection. Some of them just longed to be held close. They take care of each other too. Many of them are small for their ages, mostly because of malnutrition. A little boy who was 13 looked more like he was 7 or 8. The pastor told us not to feel sorry for them and I understand why. They are in a wonderful place and God is with them. They have nothing possession wise, but they have everything they need to survive and their beautiful smiles just shine in that seemingly dark place.