Daily Reflection Tuesday April 19th

Today was a day full of mixed emotions. It was also a little bit different than most days spent here at the children's home. It started out with the usual- helping out with breakfast and walking the kids to the bus stop. Then I helped out with the laundry. After that we were directed to the central part of the children's home which is not very big and Wafi, the security guy, instructed us where to paint. We basically could do whatever designs we want. This felt good knowing that he trusted us and our judgement. It especially made me feel good because I am probably the least artistic person you will ever meet. I can not even draw a round circle. But, he still trusted me to paint several benches and stepping stones.

I first started painting benches with a solid coat. Then I thought of a great idea to put hand prints on the benches. I started doing my handprints and then I thought it would be a lot more special to use one of the kid's handprints. So, I asked Wafi if I could use one of the six year old girl's handprints who was home from school today. She had chicken pox last week and she kept telling me she was going to "states" today. Her little brother was home too, so I thought the two of them were just going to states for her recorder. But, then Wafi told me it was their last day here. It all hit me, her and her twin brother were going to the United States. They were being adopted today! This was extra special because I helped her put her hand in the paint and put her hand prints all over the cement benches. We were able to take a few pictures with her, however her face can not show. So I am glad that I will always have this special memory in a photo. It really brought tears to my eyes knowing that this will be the last interaction ever spent with this beautiful adorable little girl. We bonded a lot last week because she was home with the chicken pox, so she had a special place in my heart at Liberty.

Once she helped me with the benches and I could feel the sun scorching and forming probably the best tan lines on my back (not really) I went inside and drank a ton of water. I also had some lunch. After my quick break I went back and painted some stepping stones in a pattern. This took a lot longer than I had anticipated because I had to wash my paint brush after painting each stepping stone. Once I finished I went back and painted two more benches. I painted the benches in a very cool (not going to lie) stripe pattern that matched the colors of the bridge Claire painted. It looked really really good once it was all finished. After painting and a few kids came home from school I played basketball with some of them. Then it was time for the twins' family to take them. I gave them a hug and really took in this last moment with them. I am not a person who cries easily and this definitely got to me. It was so sad to see those adorable children go but I was so happy to see them leave with a loving family who will give them the world. After they left I helped some kids with their homework. They had no idea how to do some of the concepts. This is really concerning because they were concepts that they should have grasped especially at their age.

Then it was play time. I played basketball once again. Not going to lie I have gotten pretty good at basketball. It really is shocking to me considering that I could not make a basket from two feet away a week ago. :) Now I am basically Lebron James. This is by far the best time of the day. The kids are smiling, I am smiling and everyone is just always happy. Overall today was a good day. And if I was as sad as I was saying goodbye to those precious children today, I can only imagine how I will be saying goodbye to the forty-three others still at Liberty Children's home. These last few days spent with these children I am going to try my best to make it the best days of this trip so far! I can't wait to hang out with them tomorrow!!!