My sleepover at the orphanage…
We had great day with the children at the orphanage, playing with them, singing songs and hearing more of their stories.
Chris, Tom, Lynette and I were able to meet with the house Mom and Dad to hear the specific needs they have and their vision for the orphanage, and also to share our hearts and vision for how to partner with them in the future. We know God has put us all here together with these specific talents and dreams “for such a time as this”. We are so excited to see it all unfold!
As the afternoon turned to night the team headed home – leaving Chris, Tom, and me there for the night. It quickly turned cold, and the stone floors and open house (with no heat) didn’t help matters. I added more layers of clothes and then joined the children for my favorite time of day – prayer time!
Each night at 6:00 one of these sweet little ones will lead the others in prayer. It is one of the most incredible sounds I’ve ever heard – orphans praying, with their whole hearts, passionately crying out to the heart of their Father. They all pray at once – from the 2 year old Jyoti to 16 year old Jitender – they lift their praises and their needs to their Father in heaven. To hear their sweet little voices praying so passionately is overwhelming – I’m moved to tears every time. I can do little but kneel and cry – God’s presence is so powerful when they pray!
They end prayer time by greetings and rejoicing around the room as they shake hands and say “Praise the Lord” to one another. Then they each come to me, shake my hand, and say “Praise the Lord Auntie!” as they come close to kiss my cheek. Sometimes they kiss both cheeks and my forehead over and over – little rosebud lips giving the sweetest kisses… those precious moments with them make me happier than anything else ever has! Those are the memories I will hold in my heart long after I leave…
After prayer time each night they have study time. The children amaze me with their diligence – they truly want to learn. They even study by candle light when the power goes off (which happens often). After study time it was time for dinner, and soon it was time for bed. They made room for me in one of the tiny bunks in the girls’ room – I was to share a bed with Rinki. I got out my sleeping bag – SO ready to get inside. I was freezing, and somehow I’d managed to step in water with my socks on, so my feet were like ice. I just wanted to crawl into my 20 degree bag and snuggle in and forget the cold…
That’s when I looked around the room and realized these sweet babies were under only one blanket, in much less clothes than I. I didn’t understand how they could sleep like that! I was almost shaking, and I was in 3 layers of clothes! I wanted to cry. I wanted to find a way to fit them all into my sleeping bag. I wanted an electric blanket, a heater, something! And then I realized they were all fast asleep. This was normal for them. It broke my heart. I crawled, shaking, into my warm sleeping bag and finally drifted off to sleep – realizing just how spoiled I really am.
I woke up to the sound of angels singing.
“This is the day,
This is the day
That the Lord has made,
That the Lord has made.
I will rejoice,
I will rejoice,
And be glad in it,
And be glad in it!”
This is the way these precious little ones start their day, everyday, singing praises to the Lord!
Their songs were quickly followed by “Auntie, you up? Auntie, awake? Auntie, you coming?” Yes yes – 7am (oh I am NOT a morning person!) but who could resist their hugs and kisses and calls?! I got up and helped them get ready with the light of my cell phone and headlamp, as they shivered in the cold and got dressed for school. Then it was time for ME to get dressed – a hilarious task with the “help” of a handful of girls! I had 2 babies in my lap as Ranjeet fixed my hair (yes with her comb, and maybe I’ll get lice? But at that moment I didn’t care one bit!), the others playing with my phone and headlamp and everyone talking at once. Insanity! And I was still half asleep! God quickly brought to mind my plea to be a mother and I couldn’t help but laugh. Oh Lord, how You answer prayers!
Goodbye kisses from the school children as they left – each asking to be sure I’d still be there when they returned home. The rest of my day was spent profiling the children, taking pictures, videoing them as they sang and danced for us, and spending time with the amazing staff. I loved every moment – even though I was cold, dirty, and tired… there is just something incredible about knowing you’re EXACTLY where you’re supposed to be…
As it creeped close to bedtime, Chris, Tom and I said our goodbyes. Each child wanted to know when we would be back – asking every day of the week. I promised Tuesday, realizing then it will be my last day with them. Saying goodbye is going to break my heart…
Please pray God will prepare my heart to say goodbye, and that He will help me effectively share the stories He has given me here. Please pray also for our health (Lynette and I are still sick – the cold and pollution are more than our bodies can handle) and for safety as we travel (we’ll be going to visit the Taj Mahal Sunday morning – Monday night, and then flying to Southern India very early Wednesday morning.)
THANK YOU for your prayers and encouraging comments – they mean more than you know! You all continue to be such blessings!
Keep checking in for more updates as I sort through videos, pictures, and stories that God is laying on my heart to share with you all. I am still hoping for better internet connections down south so I can update more frequently. Until then – May God bless each of you abundantly! I love you all!
In HIS hands ~ Ericka
