Better late than never!

  These past almost three weeks have flown by. I started out living at the top of a hill with 19 other teen girls. By day two, I felt as if I were one of them. They would serve me dinner at the comedor, give me clean sheets and provided me help whenever I was experiencing something new in the house. We would play tic-tac-toe together, hold hands while waking to/from meals and make music videos together using my camera/music- they know most English songs on the radio today! Even though we are no longer living under the same roof together, I still feel as if I am one of them, receiving a hug or smile everytime we pass one another. 
   Now, things are a little different. I am a mother, a friend, a gringa to 13..... no wait, 16 toddlers. 3 have come into the house since my 2.5 weeks with them. One outgrew the baby house, the other two came new to Casa Shalom this week. It is challenging watching 16 kids run, fight, cry, and rough house, but I am so glad I could provide another set of hands for the house moms working with the kids weekly. They do make things hard for me, but I love them all as a mother, friend, sister. 
   I know I probably shouldn't say this about my kids, but I do have a favorite. Beto. 5 years old. A great set of teeth with the cutest smile and laugh. A loving heart that I can hold and snuggle with on the couch watching cartoons (in Spanish). He makes me feel wanted by calling me over just to sit on the couch or telling me right after lunch to sit next to him at dinner. I fell in love with him the day I met him, and I am so glad that I get this much time living with and loving on him.  
  This week, Living Oaks is here with me. It is a great week for them to come. My halfway point. A few of them now understand why I have fallen in love with Beto and are enjoying their time with him. I have loved having them here to share my past few weeks with them and allow them to be a part of it. Introducing them to my kids. Helping with translation (as best I can!), and being the middleman between the team and the house moms. It's been a learning experience, nonetheless. 
   Yesterday, I got a chance to go to a village with them about an hour from the orphanage. I was so thankful to be a part of that experience, getting to serve around 200 kids lunch, toys, and toothbrushes. Interacting with the kids of the community there is something I will never forget. 
   6 weeks outside of my comfort zone and being placed within a house of 16 3-6 year olds is something I never imagined I would be doing, but I couldn't imagine it another other way. These past few weeks, only halfway through, have taught me patience, love, understanding, endurance, and a few more Spanish words. I can't wait to see where the second half of this journey takes me!

Serving food at the village

Beto!!

The comedor

My teen girls during the first week