Last Day in India :(

The agenda for July 30, 2011 was to have a field trip with the children from Eternal Joy, Peace Home, and House of Compassion. They met us at a location that had a playground and areas to sit as a large group. A group of men from a church were there to lead the children in songs. They did a really great job. Then there was a guy that performed skits and a puppet show. That was a huge hit. All the kids were laughing so hard. It was great to see the orphans have a good time because they rarely get to. It was such a special time for them.

Enjoying the Puppet Show

Listening to Songs

Great Smile

After that the children had lunch and so did we. Our skit was performed next and then we handed out salvation bracelets. As usual the kids loved them. We had about an hour and a half to play with the kids. It wasn't enough time. It never is enough time. They never get to play on a playground so they had so much fun riding down the slide, using the swings, merry-go-round, teeter-totters. We brought balloons, bubbles, and balls. I was able to play more with Chandu, the boy from House of Compassion that stole my heart. That little guy breaks my heart. He is so cute and very funny. We were able to buy bananas for all of the children. This was quite the treat since they usually only get them twice a week. That is the only fruit they get by the way. Then they had a break for tea and biscuits. They were all so happy to have different food than rice with a dal sauce. They were all so hungry too. I was given a banana to eat but wasn't that hungry. I think it was a combination of emotions, knowing that I had to leave the children, and having just eaten. Chandu came up to me and was grabbing my pants trying to get my attention. He wanted my banana. He had already eaten one and biscuits with tea. He was so hungry. I looked at his smaller than normal body because of malnutrition and how could I say no. He was 7 years old at the time but looked like he was 4 or 5. He ate the whole thing. Once again emotions filled my body to see the need, the starvation.

Adorable Orphan

Me, Chandu, and Dayasgar

Chandu Loving the Slide

Chandu and Me

Me and a Friend

Me and Chandu

Chandu on Teeter-Totters

Wonderful Children

We gathered the kids to say goodbye. It was the hardest thing to do because you see that you give them joy and hope by being there and showing affection. Connections are made and they know they are loved but then you have to leave. Chandu came to me smiling. I gave him a big hug. They all went to their buses and SUVs. Chandu waved the entire time he went to the car and even looked for me when he was in the car. He kept smiling and waving.

Hugging Chandu

Hugging Santhosh

Bye

Touches Your Heart

House of Compassion Waving Bye

Chandu Looking Straight at Me When Someone Else Took This Photo

I had to turn away because I didn't want Chandu to see me crying. I didn't want him to get upset. I just wanted him to remember the happy times we had together not the thoughts of me not being there anymore. All of these children have abandonment issues. They feel like no one cares for them. They feel unimportant. This was clearly the hardest thing I had ever done in my life. The children drove off and I knew in my heart that I had to come back.