Dancing in the rain...

Lupita...say Ahhhhh



Yazmine, don´t stick your tongue out at Mark and Jean.... :)



The reserved Ramon...



Breakfast for 130



Jack White...this one is for you.



Daniel on mop duty.



...where the goats and the children roam.



Red sucker tongues.How fun!



Cielo & Tio Gary enjoying a good sucker. You can´t beat it.



Don´t you love that toothless grin?



The kids and helpers were trying to build a pig sling...it almost worked.



The kids and helpers were trying to build a pig sling...it almost worked.



Rolando and Jesus enjoying a game of marbles.



Ana,Yazmine & Bette passing time...



A new couple with big servant´s hearts. They are a joy to work with. Eugenia and Santos.


Roger and Luanne, I don´t need to tell you...Ramon is an angel.



Tim, Calle, Charles & Chrissy, do you recognize this man? I don´t!



A slobbery Ramon pose.



Adorable new brothers who arrived last weekend.




A very sick pig.


Fred and Barb...I might keep her.






Andrea giving the eyes...



Don´t worry Fred and Barb...she is not really in trouble...it was a set-up.



Chad and Christi...it is staged...don´t worry.



Tough Man Tonio



Balloon lover...soon to be Marta Huizenga



Marta can´t quit smiling.



Chad and Christi...she stole my heart.



Me and my boy Emmanuel...all he needs is love.



Washing dishes for 130 people...with a smile!



Operation Dish Scraper...




Sisters...Margarita and Lucia



Daniel...orange you glad I took this picture?



Princess Jacqueline



Kitchen crew-Miriam and Lezlie



Raphael heating up a tortilla



Let´s not forget Ana Karen



Andrea enjoying a good meal



Briza amd Brenda



He loves oranges...what can I say...



Nicholas...my sweetheart.



Nohema-I love this girl!



A missionary visited us and gave the kids balloons and suckers yesterday. I love these boys...Daniel and Javier.



Balloons andkids...a perfect match.



Marta loves noodles....



Belem and Johana...hermanas!



Manuel and his sword.


This past week we have experienced clouds and rain...literally with the weather at the orphanage and also emotionally. In Ecclesiastes 11:4 it says, “When clouds are heavy, the rain comes down.” It is a matter of fact. In my bible, I have written next to it, “Don’t be afraid of the dark clouds! How can we have rain without the clouds? Our troubles have always brought us blessings, and they always will, for they are the dark chariots of God’s bright and glorious grace.” Today I am thanking the Lord for the dark clouds in my life because I know that Jesus will bring the refreshment of rain…soon. My family has endured a tough week…and I’m sure many of you have, too. We all have them. I am inviting you to dance with me in the rain that will be coming! Don’t hold back!!! I have felt the first drop….! Dancing in the rain of God’s grace is something that these children have taught me. While trying to research information on the background of children that might be eligible for adoption, I have read things from the depths of hell that they have survived. They have not had days of dark clouds, but for some of them…many years of dark clouds. Yet, I see them dancing in the rain…because of God’s grace. I think the clouds they have experienced, changed them somehow. They don’t have an agenda. Where some might have prejudice, they have mercy, where some might be repulsed, they have compassion. All of the worldly ‘treasures’ that they own can easily be hidden underneath their pillow or blanket on their bed. Life is simple for them. They have experienced the love of God and they just model His love. No questions asked. Perhaps Jesus was looking at these children when He said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:14b) These kids aren’t perfect…neither am I. But we will be when our toes touch those streets of gold. Hey, there is another drop! The rain is coming. Will you dance with me? (Roger, it’s OK to cry and dance at the same time. I am.)

Today is Saturday, which means a day of fun. Papa loaded up all the kids and we headed to the park in Aldama. Of course the bus is not meant for 57+ kids, but we all seem to fit just fine. As we were heading out the driveway, a handicap boy was standing next to me and I had him sit on my lap…with all the others. The moment I felt dampness on my jeans, I tried to get him to stand up and felt panicked. As I looked into his soft brown eyes, several thoughts went through my mind. #1. I only have 2 pair of jeans. #2. The pump in the well is broke…and we have no water for laundry... and might not have for 10 days. #3. It is warm out today…so my jeans will probably dry (I didn’t say smell good). #4 I’m too big to sit on his lap  so he might as well sit back down on my lap. #5. It’s not about me. I am praying that thought #5 will surface first next time.

Anyway, at the park there were several ‘cool’ teenage boys that were playing soccer against each other. Papa challenged them to a game against his kids. Of course they agreed…even though it meant about 25 on our team…ranging in ages from 6-15. WE WON!!! I was one proud mama!!! Our kids did have one slight disadvantage. Whenever they kicked the ball hard…their shoes fell off. At first my heart was saddened wishing they had better shoes…and then I realized that they were wearing their shoes laced loosely because of the ‘style’. Their shoes fit perfectly well. Beauty has it’s price! Another neat thing about the game is that there was a puddle of water on one side of the court. When ever the ‘cool’ town kids saw the ball go towards the water, they stopped…they didn’t want to get their shoes wet. But our kids plowed right in the water and worked together as a team and got the job done. YIPPEE! !!

Oh yeah, Gary has a new job title, “Raton” Slayer. All the girls standing on the kitchen counters would be glad to tell you all about it. When he picked it up by the tail to carry it out, they screamed like crazy. He just smiled.