So, I've taken an unintentional blog hiatus for the past few days. And those of you who follow me on other social media may know why. But here's the deal:
I got an iPhone.
Pause for reaction.
So I've basically been attached to it ever since. The battery doesn't even last a whole day because I'm constantly on it. But here's my question for you - what apps do I need to get? I've got all the regular ones, but is there something you just can't live without? Share your knowledge.
And now back to your regularly scheduled programming...
I know, a post with an iPhone and such abject poverty together is a little jarring, but I'm trying to learn to balance.
The other day I showed y'all some pictures from the clinic I worked in. I was in the clinic most of the week, but one day I got to do something different. I wanted to see what the rest of the mission group was doing, so I headed to the orphanage in the morning and Place of Safety (a home for older girls) in the afternoon. I can't even begin to tell you how much these limited experiences touched me.
We spent the morning at the orphanage, and I felt like a human jungle gym most of the time. I had toddlers crawling all over me, wanting to sit in my lap or play or just get attention. You could tell that the kids were well fed and cared for, but there just aren't enough staff to go around. These children are starved for attention, and being able to give them that was so satisfying.
There was one little girl in particular that I fell in love with. Her name was Grace, and she had a twin sister named Faith. She attached herself to me, and wouldn't let go for most of the morning. They were all so obsessed with my sunglasses, because the lenses are slightly mirrored and they could see themselves in the lenses. It's so funny how they can get a whole morning's worth of entertainment from a pair of sunglasses I got for free. I didn't want to leave when our time was up - I could have played with them all week if they'd let me. I can't imagine being one of the people who worked with them all week - how do you fall in love with these children and then have to leave?
Some of my pictures from the orphanage, so you can fall in love with them too:
Grace, the child I wanted to bring home with me.
Grace's twin, Faith, is the one giving the dirty look - she wanted my lap all for herself.
In the afternoon, we went to Granville Place of Safety, which is a home for girls around ages 10 to 17. Almost all of the girls have behavior issues. Some of them are orphans, some of them have been raped or assaulted (often by family members). There are always a few who are pregnant and get kicked out of their homes, only to have the child and be welcomed back because there's now a baby involved. I witnessed fights and incredibly poor behavior, but I also saw some of the sweetest girls I've ever met.
It's a little overwhelming at first - these teenage girls walk up and start holding your hand and playing with your hair and don't want to let go. They have no concept of personal space, but it's mostly because they are so excited to see you. They almost never get visitors, and again, there just isn't enough staff to go around. Most of them don't want to be there, but they have nowhere else to go. And unlike most of us, they don't have anyone in their lives to tell them that they are important and loved. It breaks your heart to see them like this, but it makes you feel better about going.
Nicolette, one of my favorites
Some of the girls dressed up for Jamaica Day
Yes, I found the only child at the Place of Safety (one of the teacher's sons)
Sorry, I know this was a long post, but I just feel changed by some of the things I saw and I want to share them with you. If anyone has any other questions, or wants to learn more or see more pictures, just leave a comment or e-mail me (heckshera@gmail.com) and I'll answer, directly or on the blog.
And to those of you who read all of this, thank you.
