Day 11–Tour of Orphanage

Today we only visited with Malachi for about an hour.  Our time was cut short because we took a tour of the orphanage.  Unfortunately, I can’t post any photos or videos of the children we met today.  We met LOTS of children today that were so full of life, and despite their circumstances were filled with joy.  When we would come into a new room, the children would run at us, clapping and slobbering all over the place!  Jasmina was worried they were going to hurt Megan with her pregnancy!

Quite a few of the children in this orphanage have Down Syndrome.  Some were more high functioning and were running and playing.  Others were very detached and just rocked or hit their heads on their beds.  There were several children that had very little activity in their brains, and the doctors “can’t believe they are still alive.”  As we stroked their heads and spoke softly, we asked Jesus to come and heal them.  Maybe our prayers will be answered in this life, and maybe not, but these children who are “the least” will be “the first” in His kingdom–fully healed and leading us all!

Sadly, many of the children in the orphanage are unwanted, or unable to be cared for, but they are not available for adoption.  The child’s parents need to sign off on them to make them available for adoption–internationally or domestically.  I can’t imagine how hard it would be to make that type of decision.  While life in the orphanage is not life in a family, this facility was actually quite wonderful.  It was clean, pretty up-to-date, and has wonderful staff.  It seems like most of the staff genuinely like, and care for the children.

Yesterday, we took a video of the outside of the orphanage:

Handing Malachi over, and watching him get put back into his crib is heartbreaking.  We are still waiting on the Official’s signature!  Thank you for your prayers.

 

Standing!