The team left last night. I stayed up until 2:00a.m. afraid I would not hear the driver. He honked at the gate. Yes, at 2:00a.m. I am sure it is him. We walk, in the dark, to the van. They are loaded and ready to go. Hard to leave and hard to stay. I think it was a great experience for all of them.
Ola is beautiful. She has worn the same outfit all 6 days. Her clothes are old and filthy. Her shoes will be posted. They are torn and have a hole in the bottom of them. I asked for them and took them to the house. As I walked to the house I could not longer fight the tears. A new pair, too big, was given. She is happy. She was sitting next to me the last few minutes. She has just left. It was much earlier in the day when the shoes were given. But a new friend has been made. She has had Rachel's heart from the beginning. I carried her into the dorm and washed her feet. Then place the new shoes on her. Humbling. How many pairs of shoes or clothes do my children have? She has one old, faded shirt and shoes....shoes with big holes. America is blessed.
Twice today I have cried. The injustice of it all. The things that are taught that may never be undone. The beauty of the innocent. The blessing of being called to be here with other Christians working to bless these precious children.
Yura on day one made fun of the songs. Today he leads them and sings them proudly. He is not ashamed of what he has learned. He has found a safe place. Not reason to fight for things. Three good meals and day and three snacks (2 are fruit and one cookies). He is living the good life. Sad to see the team to go. I watched as it affected him. Today, has played flag football for the second time.
We had a couple join us today. Good God thing. We had only a few workers. The other left for home. More leave later tonight. The schedule changes often. Things we need are not always available. Timings are off. The Ukrainian team girls are used to a strict run camp. Not this one. I like free time. Cancel that, do this later, they don't want to? Ok, we don't make them! One of the workers said this is more like a family than camp. Excellent!
