The Children's Home

I have to admit, I am not yet sure of the logistics of the home and school we went to in Indonesia.  I know the school and children's home are both sponsored by International Baptist Church.  I am not sure of all the rest of the information, and sadly, I have been told some of it, but it doesn't digest until I have been to the place and can put the pieces together.  Then the next time I hear the information it 'sticks'.  This time, I am just getting acquainted with it all and don't know all of the story.  

I have been told the children in the children's home are living there because they are displaced from their families - if they even have families.  In 2004 there was a tsunami that displaced many people.  Most lost their homes making families no longer able to care for their children.  Many of these children are from those broken homes and stay at the children's home full time.

We went to Indonesia to teach English at the school.  After we taught the 3 classes, we had a bit of time left over before catching our ferry back to Singapore, so our driver took us over to the children's home.  We were not there for any purpose other than to visit with the children - and they are so precious.  We were greeted by excited faces:

We walked in and visited with the children for a bit:

And then they were called to lunch.  The girls helped dish out the food:

And it was passed out to all the children who sat quietly on the floor, chatting while eating:

I was astounded to see how much they were fed - and more so at how much they ate!  

Since it was the first visit for a couple of us girls, we were shown around the home.  The church has recently given the home a refrigerator which was in the pantry.  It was difficult to get a picture, but you can see how small the 'kitchen' is:

This, my friends is the kitchen 'cabinet' and stove/oven:

 You will not hear me complain about my Barbie oven again.

The house has no sink, and the water is kept in these buckets:

I was told the dishes are washed outside.  I am assuming that there is no running water, but if I find out different, I will let you know.

I only saw one bedroom (didn't ask to see the boys room), but this is the girl's room:

It is too small for all the (girl) children, so they move the mattresses in the background to a larger room to sleep.  There are at least 29 children here - that is how many were there yesterday.  I don't know if there were more, but I know there are at least 29.

The church recently provided them with body care products and storage containers for each individual child:

Everything in the house is very neat and tidy.  They are not rich monetarily, but they are all clean and happy.

The children are well taken care of by these two treasures:

Ibu (meaning mother in Bahasa) and Pastor Willy

Now to share pictures of some of the children:

Aren't they all precious?

So, I know you are wondering... which one of these stole my heart?  It was this young man:

I don't know his story, but one young child (baby brother?) was glued to him and he was always stroking him with reassurance.  He had a very heavy heart, deep worry lines and was obviously hurting very deeply, but he was taking such good care of the little guy.  He smiled with love when the little guy looked at him.  I don't know what has happened in their lives, but I hope he knows he is loved and will get through this tough time in his life.

Too soon it was time to say good-bye.  I will look forward to going back and visiting with these children.  Looking out the window of our van as we leave, these are the pictures I see:

Yes, we are deeply blessed by these children.  May we help them any way we can.  I look forward to being a part of making a difference in their lives.

I will be starting classes in Bahasa (Indonesian language) soon.  Please say prayers that it I pick it up like wildfire - I want to know how to communicate with them with more than a smile.  I love this part of my stay.  Maybe I have found what God needed me here for.  

Even if I never get to go back:  I see, Lord.  I see.  

And I will never, ever forget.