four minute friday: hope
Go.
I’m off to Hope House in an hour. That’s the local orphanage I take our interns to each Friday afternoon. This is one of the things I missed most while I was in America.
I love watching the kids’ eyes light up as they learn something new. I love seeing them shoot their hands in the air, volunteering to help with the object lesson. I love the zeal with which they recite their memory verses.
But mostly I love sitting quietly with one or two of them, lavishing them with love and feeling my heart be strengthened.
I’ve been hearing stories of how much the kids have grown, and all the new things they’re capable of doing now. I’m looking forward to seeing a healthy Nkosi, a walking, talking, happy Katleho, an interactive Mbali. I’m looking forward to seeing our interns in action, doing what they do best.
I’m tired today and feel like I don’t have much to offer. But my arms aren’t too tired to hug and to hold; that much I can do. I can be a quiet refuge for a child who needs just that.
This is the perfect ending to my week.
Done.
I love hope house! All of those kids are soo special! I especially miss Thabang, he was my little buddy! Have fun, I know they will be excited to see you. They missed you!
@atangie says:
beautiful. have fun!
ok…for a minute i was totally there at that orphanage! i really hope it is a possibility for cathi and me to get out there sometime next year. i know [1] it would do our hearts good and [2] stretch us in ways unimaginable!
hug some kiddos for us!!!!
mark, your comment totally made my day. (did you watch the video i linked to up there??)
i so hope you guys can come, too, and i will most definitely hug some li’l ones for you two.
Is James still there????
that video was amazing!!!! thanks for posting this today!!
@ventigrace says:
you have a lot to offer… always. And I know your hugs are pretty fan-dam-tastic… so hug away friend.
@danielleH says:
enjoy today.
As I am getting to know you better via this heart connector called the blogoshpere, I am more and more inspired by your open-arm-ed-ness. Blessings as you give hugs and kisses to God’s sweet, sweet babies and dear ones.
Oh good. I’m so glad.
Sorry I’m zooming through these … I have 44 posts in my inbox this morning. :]
I am so glad you get to end your week on that note. :D So glad!
I would love to sit there and love on those kids. Oh how I would love it. And then I’d want to take them home. ;-)
That video killed me. Especially when I saw the kid sleeping in the bed. *sigh*
Gosh I miss them.
Little K looks way more grown up. It’s incredible…He’s grown out of the old man phase just a bit more. Hehe.
I want to be there, I would love for me and Dan and Con to go there with you sometime! But till then, enjoy them and be enjoyed! Have fun.
@cassgirl says:
Nothing like squeezing on little ones. Nothing..
I pray that Hope house will be on our list of things to do when we get to Africa
I wish that I could be there too loving on kids in the orphange. Working for a summer at an orphanage in Brazil changed my world. I was always astounded by the love they lavished on me when I was there to love on them.
I hope God blesses you abundantly today for sharing His love with those precious children.
Alece, I wish I could be sitting beside you loving on those kiddos! One of the things I remember most about my trip to SA was the kiddos (not Hope Harbor but other places) and how they would flock to us. The minute you sat down they were fighting for their positions on your lap and around you.
Wow, Alece. I know this day is past for you, but please, next time, hug lots of kids for me. Oh, how I long to be there.
Love you.
ahh.. they were so happy to have you back. I pointed to you with nkosi, and asked jamesy who you were, and in his cute little english he said ALECE! and tumelo echoed. their faces lit up and I could tell they were glad to have you back.
so am I.
christen — my jamsie is still there!
amy — yay! you said fandamtastic!
brandy — i’m glad you enjoyed the video; the kids are wonderful!
heidi — i think it will be…
kaylen — i love that james remembered my name — it was SO SWEET.