Day 6: Joshua House

"Orphans are easier to ignore before you know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It is easier to pretend they're not real before you hold them in your arms. But once you do, everything changes."

-David Platt

        This quote is definitely one that is hitting home right about now. It is our last day in Guyana, and we spent a majority of it at Joshua House. The kids at Joshua House are different than the ones at Hope Home. Because of the lack of funding and staff, Joshua House children are beyond excited to see us to the point that it is almost scary sometimes. We oftentimes find ourselves holding on to walls or each other to keep from falling down. When we walk in, we are rushed by a sea of smiling faces. Those faces are the orphans, and because we know their names, have seen their faces, and have held them in our arms, they have become unforgettable. Before I went on my first Guyana trip, when I heard the word "orphans" back home whether at church, school, etc, I never had faces come into my mind. Now, when I hear "orphans" I see little Nakise or Paul at Joshua House dancing in their upstairs common area to familiar American songs. I see Reshma, Naresh, or Rolisha at Hope Home holding my hand ever so gently. I see the new 3-month old baby or the 2-year old twins staring back at me from their cribs at the Red Cross orphanage. I see so many more familiar orphans from Guyana, and my heart strings are tugged on so much more than ever before because I have realized that the word "orphan" means more than commercials on TV or someone else's experience. They are real and they do exist. More than anything they just need to be loved.

At Joshua House today, we once again made wonderful sock puppets for all of the children to enjoy and even turn into "monsters" to attack us with : ) After the craft, we turned our craft room into a dance floor and danced the day away to some familiar American tunes. Pat and Derrick were especially great dancers!! The children loved to watched them and quickly joined in. Other team members did alot of painting work throughout Joshua House, and Gladys, the owner, was thrilled to see it completed.

Many of us are back at the hotel now. We find that it is easier for the Joshua House children if we leave in separate groups instead of all at one time. We will spend our last night in Guyana at our favorite restaurant, the Brazilian restaurant. SO GOOD!!

We will be heading out tomorrow to make our return to the U.S. Our flight from Guyana leaves before lunch, and we should be in the States around 3 p.m. give or take : ) Please pray for travelling mercies for us and an easy transition for Josh and Tessa as their dad/grandpa will be returning to the U.S. with us.

Thanks for all of the prayers you have said on our behalf while we have been away! Much love to you all : )