Orchard Hill Church at the Malnutrition Center

MONDAY - 10/22

It is safe to say that everyone is pretty much exhausted tonight.  Why?  A full day of loving on and caring for all the children in the Malnutrition Center.  We helped with breakfast…bathed and clothed…played…changed diapers…changed more diapers…fed some lunch…put children down for a nap…cleaned and wiped and sanitized toys and tables…changed diapers after nap….played some more…changed some more diapers…fed dinner…and then prepped everyone for bed.  Hopefully they are sleeping well now. I know we will… and then get up to tackle the routine another day. 

 

That is the amazing thing – this love and care and feeding of all these precious children happens each and every day!  We are here for only four days, but the nannies and the staff who are the heart of the Center pour out loving and quality care each day throughout the year.  They are amazing!  It is great that we can serve them and provide a small respite from their 12 -our days by taking on some of their duties.

All members of our team have a bunch of stories to share from each of their age groups.  My group was the young toddlers.  So many of them were so content to just be held and sit on my lap…all craving one-on -ne love and affection.  But as I sat there, I thought perhaps I could bring even a bit more to their life – a little bit of play.  So out of the rocking chair and onto the floor.  I tossed children in the air.  I rolled and bounced balls.  All the stuffed animals disappeared in my shirt only to be rediscovered.  Animals piled on my head suddenly fell on an unsuspecting child.   Boys were wrestled to the ground.   And then it came…the smiles and the laughter.  That’s what made it all worthwhile.  To be able to bring some joy into a hurting, and sometimes lonely child, is a gift that cannot be matched.  A belly laugh.  A teeth bearing grin.  A call for “mas” (more).   So I will rest up and be ready to bring it again…because there is one child who has just been here for three days, separated from her family and malnourished, who has cried and cried and has yet to show a smile.  She needs some joy.  So tomorrow I will get on the floor and play again.  I will be, as Paul said, all things to all people – that means even these little ones.

-Bob Karel, Orchard Hill Church