Getting to see the home was a lot like putting a puzzle together… suddenly things fit together into a whole picture of what it all is like.

One moment that I won’t forget came when we went to watch the kindergarten children for a while. Imagine about 100-150 children, ranging from 3-5, sitting in little rows in a large room. A few of them already knew my friend and came over. And then Luca came. Sweaty and probably in need of a good scrubbing, but he kept inching closer till he was settled on my lap and then he proceeded to defend that valued position from the other handful of little girls and boys that came over and also wanted hugs. It seems they all want a solid shoulder to rest on… a long hug that will bring them to peace and soothe them. Sometimes, they only want it for a minute, then they flash you a smile and run off again. Sometimes they hardly want to let go. I can feel their little heartbeat through the hug and want to hold them till they are whole… somehow remove the trauma and fill them with Jesus’s love. So many things are still less than ideal, but in the absence of the family that God intended for each of them, we get to step in and be Jesus’ hands and feet… and plant seeds that will someday bring a harvest. Even if it’s just small things… maybe especially if it’s small things. God, the perfect Father, delights in working through these moments and He cares even more than we do.

I wish I could meet each of you who are supporting this project and tell you what it means. You are a part of this… sowing the seeds of kindness and God’s love into these children could only be done because of your generous support. You are essential to what we do. On behalf of all my little friends, who are now cared for better and loved on because of you: Thank you! It truly means the world to them and us.