How Did I Get Here?

I am sorry I haven't written an e-mail lately. I have been really busy with the orphanage and then we went away this past weekend to a place called Kokrobite. It was a great weekend to just relax and hang out. There was live music on Friday and Sat. night and hammocks in between palm trees. Fresh pineapple juice and huts that were used as hotel rooms. If you looked at the pictures you probably saw a hut and that was my hotel room.

There are times when I look around and think how did I get here? All of my friends are still in school but somehow I am here. This whole experience seems so surreal and it is going by so fast. On Sunday night when we returned from the weekend it rained. Not just rained but poured! Two of my roommates and I ran outside and started laughing and dancing. They have thin enough hair that they were able to get shampoo out and wash their hair. Sadly, my hair is too thick. The past two days since it rained have been cooler than normal which is a miracle.

A lot of you have been asking why I only have pictures of the boys and I know I explained this before but I will explain again. The girls never leave their house at the home. They stay inside from after school until school the next day so I never get to talk to them or meet them. One of the older boys promised me he would take me over there at some point this week so that I could meet them. But yesterday I actually decided to take matters into my own hands and head over to their house to try and introduce myself. That didn't work so well because they weren't as interested in meeting me as I was them. So I think I might have that older boy take me back later this week so that he can help me out. The girls are very shy.

Today has been a sad day because last night we took one of our roommates to the airport. She has finished her placement here and is now going to South Africa for 3 months. She was definitely the positive energy in the house that I was really able to connect with so it was hard to say goodbye to her. She actually reminded me a lot of my cousin Chaille. So I went into the orphanage this morning feeling down and as soon as I walked in a little boy Joely ran up to me arms spread out and jumped into my arms. I am starting to realize that I need those kids as much as they need me and that when things get tough they still love me. I held Joely for almost an hour and a half until he fell asleep in my arms. These kids are stealing my heart.

3 Weeks have passed and I am already afraid of the time slipping away too quickly. I have important decisions to make while I am here and that can feel overwhelming at times. I will try and be better about writing. I think that I might write you an e-mail about just the older boys and tell you about each one. Would you like that? I won't do it if no one is interested. My roommate Amy is sick so I am off to buy her some food and then go take a shower! (I HAVE WATER TODAY!!!)