Today my head was filled with thoughts of the children at Jackie's house, an orphanage located outside the capital in the D.R. I'm so stinkin' excited to see them again! I can't stop thinking about it!
All of the children at Jackie's are special to me, and Laura was one who especially captured my heart. We instantly bonded over how similar our names are and she reminded me of myself when I was younger, always wanting to please the teacher and help out. Laura helped lead the praise songs and assisted the other children with their crafts.
The very last day our team was there, we brought supplies for face painting. One of our team members is a talented face painter and volunteered her expertise. The kids LOVED this! Laura just sat there watching every child get their face painted before her own. Before long, Laura grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the painting seat and started painting my face.
Was my face painting a perfect butterfly like the other's? Maybe not. But I wouldn't trade that moment for anything! She was so proud of her artwork and I was humbled by her desire to serve me and show her love. At the end of the day, we were the last two in the whole house who didn't wash the paint off our faces. Sisters.
The goodbye was so tearful. My heart breaks just thinking about it. Through my broken Spanish, I told Laura how I wanted to come back soon and that the next time, I'd work on my Spanish. Her response? In broken English, was that she would practice her English, too. I need to keep true to my promise! Jackie's house is a long, bumpy ride on Dominican roads from Sosua, but I am determined to get back there soon!
Please be praying for Laura and all of Jackie's kids that they know and experience the depths of God's love for them!
This summer, after my first two weeks with the Suchers, we all packed up and traveled 4 hours south to meet up with a team from UCUMC to spend time with these amazing kids at Jackie's. Half the team primarily went to work laying a patio and building a ramp up the hill to the kitchen while the other half held a vacation bible school for the little ones and just loved on the kids. Just guess which half I joined?
All of the children at Jackie's are special to me, and Laura was one who especially captured my heart. We instantly bonded over how similar our names are and she reminded me of myself when I was younger, always wanting to please the teacher and help out. Laura helped lead the praise songs and assisted the other children with their crafts.
The very last day our team was there, we brought supplies for face painting. One of our team members is a talented face painter and volunteered her expertise. The kids LOVED this! Laura just sat there watching every child get their face painted before her own. Before long, Laura grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the painting seat and started painting my face.
Was my face painting a perfect butterfly like the other's? Maybe not. But I wouldn't trade that moment for anything! She was so proud of her artwork and I was humbled by her desire to serve me and show her love. At the end of the day, we were the last two in the whole house who didn't wash the paint off our faces. Sisters.
The goodbye was so tearful. My heart breaks just thinking about it. Through my broken Spanish, I told Laura how I wanted to come back soon and that the next time, I'd work on my Spanish. Her response? In broken English, was that she would practice her English, too. I need to keep true to my promise! Jackie's house is a long, bumpy ride on Dominican roads from Sosua, but I am determined to get back there soon!
Please be praying for Laura and all of Jackie's kids that they know and experience the depths of God's love for them!
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