I’ve spent the last 4 months at New Vision for Life. I’ve taught these kids three days a week, every week. I’m in and out of the home constantly. I’ve played with the kids and put bandaids on for them. I get to see what everyday life is like for them.

I see the pain and sadness of past hurts written on their faces. It goes through me every time I see one of the toddlers crying all alone because they are hurting, but there is no one there to comfort them. When we go to the home in the evening to say goodnight to the kids and they all come piling in for a hug, I can’t help but imagine what it would be like to be 9 or 10 but not have parents to put you to bed.

And yet somehow they are most of the time, happy and smiling. They are overjoyed just to see you, just to get a wave from anyone. They love nothing more than to be with you, for you to spend time with them. Give the boys a ball of clay and they will be entertained for days. They make the most out of most things.

“So what have you learned?” you might ask.

It’s hard to say. All I know is, we are blessed beyond what we will ever know.