Our most impactful experiences so far....

Wednesday, November 4th, 2009

Today, after a long day, we all gathered around after dinner to share our experiences as a group. We talked about the most impactful experiences we have had so far:

Tom: “On Sunday, when we were walking to the second service at Cambry, some of the children were waiting for us at the bottom of the hill…they ran to us and held our hand. What an experience to walk with them to church”

Cindy: “On Sunday, I was sitting next to Gina, a little girl who I guess to be about 7 years old. She was wearing a beautiful white dress….and when she saw me sweating she took her little finger and ran across my face and throat as to get as much of my sweat off my skin…then she wiped it on her dress. The servant hearts of these children are such an example to me!”

Matt: “On Monday as we were packing up to leave the second orphanage in Darivager, the children began to sing worship song. There was an older boy who was playing the drums and to hear the passion in these hearts, who have gone through so much, is just ethereal!”

Cathy: “It is heartbreaking to see the conditions of some of these children….There was a little boy in Darivager who must have been about 2 or 3 years old, who was covered with scabies. He had secondary infections pretty much all over his little body, from his ears to his private parts. The other heartbreaking fact is that this orphanage in particular, along with 7 others, DOESN’T have water. They have tried to dig a well 6 times, and six times it has collapsed. They only need about $4,000 to dig a deeper well and provide water to all 70 children”

Jackie: “It’s overwhelming to see how huge and propagated the need is here…And it’s not just a financial need…there is an emotional need for each of these children. It is so sad to see that some of them don’t know their name or birthday…or if they know their name, they just whisper it….some of them don’t smile, no matter what you try….”

Mitch: “We had a little boy on Tuesday in Cassa Major who told us he was 13 years old, but he looked like he was six years old….the malnutrition effects are astounding”

Scott: “It has been wonderful to see the awesome team that God put together for this trip….we are working together under very difficult circumstances but accomplishing God’s work.”