The Orphanage

The Orphanage

There is not much to do here while you wait on the different steps in the adoption process. Our host suggested there is not much crime here. But for the first time in my life I was wanded with a metal detector and frisked before going into a restaurant. And most buildings have upset looking fellows toting AK-47's. That in mind we are not aimlessly wondering the street. Rashid's wife is in charge of the education at the orphanage. We were asked if we wanted to go to the orphanage and help out. Something to do, and help, we were all over it.

We got out of the car and we ask for the quarter tour. While we looked around the children walked into the room where the rest of the children were about to start class. We went through what is the upper class room and another room that was not complete that will one day be the upper class room. Allowing the first room to be additional housing. We walked back down where the children were. Our son was standing there in a puddle of tears. For the second time in his life he thought he had be abandoned there.  Much to the displeasure of the workers, I scooped him up in my arms and began to tell him daddy would never leave him. After 30 minutes in my arms, he rejoined his class, but only because Jennifer was the teacher. With us in sight he began to become the little boy that has blossomed these last few day. As for our daughter, she never cried. She also never allowed Jennifer or I to be more than 5 paces away from her. Even as playtime started, no ball or game of tag would pull her away from us. When we told her we were leaving and she needed to tell her friends bye her little eyes lit up. She too realized she was no longer an orphan but a loved daughter. She was so excited to say bye, take my hand and walk through the gates of the orphanage.

The orphanage has only been in it's current location for two years. I would like to tell you about it. First it is a new building that was built looking old. It was laid out with thought and planning. It is also in a constant state of construction. It can only be built as they have funds to do so. The outside stairs have no guardrail and no banister on the second floor. The food is all prepared over an open fire. They are in the process of building a kitchen. It will still utilize wood burning stoves, but will be much more efficient. Last month the orphanage got electricity for the first time. Yesterday they poured the concrete for the well. They hope to have running water in a couple of weeks.

 The orphanage also serves as a home for pregnant young women with no where else to go. This may sound like a large place, but it is not. The 25+ children sleep in two rooms lined with metal bunk beds.  They have little more than a thin foam mattress to sleep on. The sheets on the beds were as thin and tattered as the cloths the children wore. The whole building consisted of 6 rooms. In the main family room there was no warm carpet to burry your toes into. A 20 x 20 blue tarp doubled over itself was all that was covering the concrete floor. They didn't have much in the way of amenities, but everything was clean. The teachers did an amazing job with the kids. Rashid is an unbelievable man for what he has done. But the need is so great!  Rashid told me he has 12 more orphans coming. He just doesn't have room until some of the adoptions go through.
In all of my blogs, in all of my Facebook post, and in all my talks on adoption I have never asked anyone to donate a penny.  But after today I am going to ask for your help!
When I get home I a going to start a Bethel House fund to raise money for what Rashid is doing here. I am going to start the fund with a thousand dollars. I am going to ask you all to help me!  Just to give you an idea. For them to have running water it will be $6,000 and another $5,000 to do the kitchen.

Here is the last thing I will say about the orphanage. It is missing one big thing.  Love! As I said my daughter did not let me out of her sight. Most of the time she sat in my lap.  Jealous of the attention, many of the other children made the rounds past where I was sitting with her. There were at least four other children that tried to supplant her from my lap. Two little boys even walked up and called me daddy. How do you answer that call?