Two Months Down, Ready For More
After breaking through the two month hurdle, it is easy to look back and see how much our lives have changed and how we have both grown. We came here wide-eyed, looking like lost puppies. Everything was so new, and in many ways, intimidating. Since that time we have (almost) completely adapted. It is a nice feeling to know the kids by name and be able to have a direct impact on their lives. Our time here has also allowed the children to get to know us a little better, and thus be more receptive.
Kellan is still with the small boys and, believe it or not, has developed a soft spot for them. They are still fearless and adventurous, but that is probably an universal truth among all boys that age. Kellan has been working especially closely with a young boy named Brayan, aka "Pepito." Pepito came to the orphanage about 5 months ago and is 5 years old. We believe he has a developmental disability, and therefore has been receiving way too much special treatment. He can understand Spanish perfectly, but is unable to speak. Because of this, people were treating him like a 2 year old, letting him roam free and doing everything for him, believing he was unable to do things for himself. He had reached the point where when it was shower time, he would lay on the floor with his legs up and wait for someone to come take off his clothes. He was also being bathed in a sink, and kept separate from the other boys while walking in line to school and the yard. Kellan saw that this was continuing to stunt his developmental growth, and started working directly with Pepito in his daily activities. He taught Pepito how to take off his clothes, wait in line for food, and eat the food without the help of others (he's still working on the vegetables). Since that time Pepito has adapted well and seems to like a little more discipline in his life. There is still plenty of playtime though, and one of Pepito's favorite activities is touching the beard that has become a permanent fixture on Kellan's face and being tossed on the couch at night.
Kellan also moved away from the maintenance role and took over the greenhouse. The biggest highlight from his plumbing days was finding a clogged toilet that was set in cement. Unable to remove the clog, Kellan found a sledgehammer and broke the toilet, enabling him to remove the unmentionable. Kellan was able to learn how to set a new toilet, use a wax ring, and everything else that goes along with toilets (actually not a whole lot). The greenhouse is actually a huge project. It had been neglected for many months, and wasn't growing anything that would produce a good crop. Kellan has spent the last few weeks cleaning it out, weeding the jungle inside, and figuring out how and what to plant. Kellan recently bought some seeds in town; green chili peppers, cabbage, and squash. He plans on using the manure from the cows to help fertilize, and will do what he can to keep the ants and other hungry bugs away for long enough to produce something edible. We'll see how things turn out in a few weeks.
Kellan and the Greenhouse
Kari is continuing to work at the toddler house teaching the children to share, teaching manners, and potty training. Along with play time, much of the time is also spent disciplining since 35 toddlers are in the “terrible two” stage and their favorite word is “no”. Last week we had the arrival of two new toddlers. One only 2 weeks old and the other is her sister who is about 18 months old. The story of why they came to the orphanage is absolutely heart breaking, but their older sister who has been living at Emmanuel for about a year has been visiting them frequently. Also one of the teenager girls had her baby about 3 weeks ago, so we have two little newborns at the house.
The volunteer in charge of the babies has taken on being "mom" for the newborn that arrived last week. She is therefore unable to be with the babies during the day, so Kari was transferred from the toddlers to the babies last week. She will be helping out with the babies for a month. It has been a nice change of pace but definitely not any easier (especially when all 15 are screaming at once). Most of the day is changing diapers, feeding, and supervising play time. We take them for a walk to the playground in the mornings and then usually snuggle with them during a movie before bedtime. All of them have such distinct personalities and are always doing the cutest things to make Kari laugh. For example, one boy goes around and gives kisses to everyone and some of them have learned how to sign "please" when asking for water.
The Newborn
Kari also started tutoring two boys in English. One boy is five years old so most of the time is spent playing games and trying to make learning English fun. The other boy is fourteen years old, but only in third grade. He has been learning the basics of English and is starting to gain some confidence in speaking.
The big girls and big boys houses (ages 14 and up) attend church. When there is a team at the orphanage, someone from the team gives the message. A couple weeks ago there was a team from Georgia here. One of the team member's shared a message on “You are beautiful” and how despite everything that has happened in the past the Lord loves you. It was a very powerful service. At the end of the message those who wanted to be saved were invited to the front. About 15 girls went to the front to be saved, almost all of them in tears as they were prayed with. Then at the end of the service 13 children were baptized. Two of which were saved that night. What an amazing night!
Independence Day Parade
Kellan is still with the small boys and, believe it or not, has developed a soft spot for them. They are still fearless and adventurous, but that is probably an universal truth among all boys that age. Kellan has been working especially closely with a young boy named Brayan, aka "Pepito." Pepito came to the orphanage about 5 months ago and is 5 years old. We believe he has a developmental disability, and therefore has been receiving way too much special treatment. He can understand Spanish perfectly, but is unable to speak. Because of this, people were treating him like a 2 year old, letting him roam free and doing everything for him, believing he was unable to do things for himself. He had reached the point where when it was shower time, he would lay on the floor with his legs up and wait for someone to come take off his clothes. He was also being bathed in a sink, and kept separate from the other boys while walking in line to school and the yard. Kellan saw that this was continuing to stunt his developmental growth, and started working directly with Pepito in his daily activities. He taught Pepito how to take off his clothes, wait in line for food, and eat the food without the help of others (he's still working on the vegetables). Since that time Pepito has adapted well and seems to like a little more discipline in his life. There is still plenty of playtime though, and one of Pepito's favorite activities is touching the beard that has become a permanent fixture on Kellan's face and being tossed on the couch at night.
Kellan also moved away from the maintenance role and took over the greenhouse. The biggest highlight from his plumbing days was finding a clogged toilet that was set in cement. Unable to remove the clog, Kellan found a sledgehammer and broke the toilet, enabling him to remove the unmentionable. Kellan was able to learn how to set a new toilet, use a wax ring, and everything else that goes along with toilets (actually not a whole lot). The greenhouse is actually a huge project. It had been neglected for many months, and wasn't growing anything that would produce a good crop. Kellan has spent the last few weeks cleaning it out, weeding the jungle inside, and figuring out how and what to plant. Kellan recently bought some seeds in town; green chili peppers, cabbage, and squash. He plans on using the manure from the cows to help fertilize, and will do what he can to keep the ants and other hungry bugs away for long enough to produce something edible. We'll see how things turn out in a few weeks.
Kellan and the Greenhouse
Kari is continuing to work at the toddler house teaching the children to share, teaching manners, and potty training. Along with play time, much of the time is also spent disciplining since 35 toddlers are in the “terrible two” stage and their favorite word is “no”. Last week we had the arrival of two new toddlers. One only 2 weeks old and the other is her sister who is about 18 months old. The story of why they came to the orphanage is absolutely heart breaking, but their older sister who has been living at Emmanuel for about a year has been visiting them frequently. Also one of the teenager girls had her baby about 3 weeks ago, so we have two little newborns at the house.
The volunteer in charge of the babies has taken on being "mom" for the newborn that arrived last week. She is therefore unable to be with the babies during the day, so Kari was transferred from the toddlers to the babies last week. She will be helping out with the babies for a month. It has been a nice change of pace but definitely not any easier (especially when all 15 are screaming at once). Most of the day is changing diapers, feeding, and supervising play time. We take them for a walk to the playground in the mornings and then usually snuggle with them during a movie before bedtime. All of them have such distinct personalities and are always doing the cutest things to make Kari laugh. For example, one boy goes around and gives kisses to everyone and some of them have learned how to sign "please" when asking for water.
The Newborn
Kari also started tutoring two boys in English. One boy is five years old so most of the time is spent playing games and trying to make learning English fun. The other boy is fourteen years old, but only in third grade. He has been learning the basics of English and is starting to gain some confidence in speaking.
The big girls and big boys houses (ages 14 and up) attend church. When there is a team at the orphanage, someone from the team gives the message. A couple weeks ago there was a team from Georgia here. One of the team member's shared a message on “You are beautiful” and how despite everything that has happened in the past the Lord loves you. It was a very powerful service. At the end of the message those who wanted to be saved were invited to the front. About 15 girls went to the front to be saved, almost all of them in tears as they were prayed with. Then at the end of the service 13 children were baptized. Two of which were saved that night. What an amazing night!
Independence Day Parade
Si se puede! Wow - I can't believe two months have flown by - you guys are doing amazing work. Os echo de menos - en beso desde Australia - xxx - Mollie
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