I wish I was able to convey all the emotions that were running through me all of today.
First, there is nothing like being mauled with hugs by 150 kids! It's one of the best feelings!!
Second, it was an honor and a privilege to be here for the dedication of "Grace Place" (aka BB4)- the orphanage that my church, Wooster Grace Brethren is sponsoring. The orphanage directors, their wives, and all the kids have been decorating and preparing for the past 2 days to lead up to today's events.
The morning started with the official ceremony that lasted almost 2 hours. Honestly, despite the heat.. it didn't feel all that long! All of the orphanges had a special part in the ceremony. The kids danced traditional dances, sang both Khmer and English songs, Pastor Bob spoke on Jeremiah 29:11 to the kids while Savorn (Cambodia's Asia's Hope director) translated. Some of the kids were dressed up in special Khmer cosutmes. They looked fantastic! It would remind you of a scene from 'The King and I'. The directors and their wives sang a hymn for us. We even had praise and worship time!! :) Lots of singing and dancing today... right up my alley! Gifts were given to Vannack and his wife (the directors/ "parents" of Grace Place).
About 200 of us gathered around Grace Place and prayed for the kids and staff, then it was time to cut the ribbon! Pastor Bob, Dr. John Campbell, and Savorn cut the red ribbon to the orphanage together.
After the ceremony, we ate lunch- chicken, whole fish (scales, head, eyeballs and all), chicken soup (with the chicken feet in it!), a beef/veggie dish, rice (naturally), and lots of bananas and mangos! It was a very good meal all in all.
Tonight we went back to the orphanage and just enjoyed time with all 150 kids! We had a dance party and also had fireworks. These kids a SUCH great dancers!! The little girls flocked to me and whatever I did, they did.... hahaha. Those poor girls, little do they know that I can't dance! I may have taken ballet for 12 years, but that is MUCH different that "feeling the music" and just groovin'. But it was a blast. Pastor Bob said he wasn't going to dance, but those little kids made him!! And as soon as he started dancing, the generator broke and all the power went out! HA! So he's claiming that his dancing broke the machine. Since it was officially dark, the teenage boys set off the fireworks. The children's faces were hilarious to watch when the fireworks went off!! :) Priceless... simply Priceless!
[Blogger's note: pictures of the dance party are on a seperate blog post.]
I love their smiles, their love, their hearts, their thankfulness. I've said it time and time again- these kids truly are Asia's Hope.
No comments:
Post a Comment