Last Day at Cocos

While we wait for the children from the Villas home to arrive at our hotel I will share you how our last day at the Cocos home went yesterday.  As soon as we arrived Chino told us the Kimberly and her new born daughter were there.  So we all took turns going in to see mom and baby....the baby weighs about 6 lbs and has a full head of hair.  She already has earrings.  Kimberly and her baby needs everyone to be praying for them.  Here is a 13 year old mom and her new born baby living in an orphanage without a family to help help.  Before we left I sat on the couch next to her and shared with her that we will continue to pray for her and wish her and her baby nothing but the best in the future. 

We spent the rest of the morning doing a craft and then took the children back to the park to play for a while.  When we arrived back at the home from the park a couple of ladies from Pani (gov't agency that oversees the orphanages) were there and they were bring a 5 year old boy to the home.  That was the moment when the day got difficult for me.  Seeing that little boy looking at all of us not knowing anyone and thinking how scared he must be made me think of my own daughter (DanNi) and how she must have felt when she was left and taken to the orphanage.  None of us will EVER know the type of fear that these children that are left or taken from their homes at older ages experience.  All I could see in my mind was a little nevrous and scared DanNi wondering what is happening to me....I don't know these people and this place is not my home.  By the time we left the little boy was playing and having fun but I wonder how he felt when it was time for bed.

After lunch Meredith read the rest of the Bible story to the children and then the group did more crafts with them.  Jessica and I went back to the store to purchase some clothes for a few more children and pick up a couple items for the Villas home.  By the time we got back from the store it was time to give the children and tias the gifts we brought them and start saying our goodbyes.  As we boarded the bus to leave there were many tears and the bus was unusually quiet as we drove off.  Seeing the children stand behind the gate of the home as you drive off is a difficult scene to witness.

Today is our last day with the children from the Villas home.  They are spending the day with us at our hotel swimming and playing in the beach.  We will be home in a few days......a couple of the team have decided that they would like to stay longer but I think everyone will board the plane on Saturday to come home.

Matthew