I have never in my life felt this kind of love. Today I wrapped up my first week and I must say that I have already gotten so much more than I ever expected from this experience. What I have found most profound so far is that the "At-Risk'" kids I work with in Colorado take so long to trust you or express themselves and have concerns and wants that aren't even on the radar of the children here. The children here have been through so much more and are still not jaded, distrustful or closed off. They are kind, patient and so well mannered that Jacey and I ask ourselves every day how these kids have turned out so well. I have come to the conclusion that it is because they are so grateful to have every bite of food, stitch of clothing and ounce of love. I don't know anyone that wouldn't learn something by spending time with these children.

Today is Friday, so naturally, we brought them doughnuts and little individual soy milk boxes. Most of them had never seen a doughnut and they could all use the extra calories. They sat patiently and waited their turn even though they knew there were only so many of each kind. Each one says, "Thank you" for everything...the wet wipe for their faces and hands, their napkins, their milk and their doughnuts. We expected complete chaos and got the opposite. They took so long to eat those things, savoring each tiny bite. The little boy named Taupe has quickly become my secret favorite. He is newer to the orphanage and he is the one who's parents are both dying form AIDS and are unable to care for him. He is blind in one eye and looks and wears clothes for a 4 year old. He is 10 and extremely malnourished and underweight.....You better believe I slipped him 3 doughnuts and 2 milks. I also replaced the shirt he had been wearing all week with a little collared plaid shirt I picked up at the market today. He was stuck to me like glue the rest of the morning and gave me a thousand kisses and hugs, even though he knew their were no more doughnuts (today).

After lunch I took four of the older kids (teenagers) to the market to get them some underwear and one outfit each. The boys are Saray, Sarak, Bonlou and the girl is Noit. They are teenagers that are way more mature than I will probably ever be. They take care of all the younger kids and are so helpful and responsible, I would trust them with anything. They will wear whatever they are given even if it's two sizes two small and long sleeved. Wearing long sleeves in this heat is unfathomable to me but when it's all you have you have to make it work. They were excited and helped me negotiate prices, carried my backpack, held my hands through the aisles and were so grateful and happy. It was unbelievably touching. Only one of them kind of knows English so it became really fun, really early. They don't care about labels, they care that it is clean. All of them had been in the same clothes all week.

We arrived back at the orphanage around 4:30 and our tuk tuk was immediately surrounded by all the other kids. After giving out and getting a million hugs, kisses, thank you's and I love you's ...I headed home. It is such a privilege to be here every second. These children make me reevaluate myself every day and when I leave them,  I leave a better person than when I arrived. Thank you everyone for your encouragement and support along the way, we are truly changing lives here and the feeling is extraordinary.

xo,
LM