Picture this... it's supper time, we are all starved, just scarfing down a delicious meal complete with black rice and fresh tomatoes, when four tall men walk through the door. "I have brought the Dutch Marines with me and they have a little gift for you guys!" says the man in charge (who by the way happens to be the dutch ambassador, no big deal!) We're just desperate for anything we can get, so we all ditch our plates and run outside... where there is this huge assembly line of the dutch marines hauling box after box of supplies and stacking it into a massive pile. Little gift? That's like telling a little kid that Disneyland is only "a little" fun!
I never cease to be amazed at God's goodness. The scene outside was one of the most unreal things I have ever witnessed, and yet again one of those unexpected examples of God's amazing timing and provision. We had doctors look at our sick children, a huge bag of medicine was just left here for us to use to make these kids healthy again. We have diapers and water and juice and milk and who knows what else!
The coolest part for me was when we brought the kids out so that the marines could hold them. We brought out the youngest baby currently at GLA, he is two months old, and countless men chimed in "If he doesn't have a family, I'll take him!" (We already fight over him here, but he is going home to the Netherlands tomorrow!) The dutch marines were not just there to toss a couple boxes and get on their way, they were so absolutely sincere and genuine and their hearts just totally blessed us along with the supplies they brought!
I have only been here 8 days, and seeing these kids leave is hard! The one little girl I held at this very time last week after the earthquake developed a special bond with me, and she is going home tomorrow. I'm so happy she will be with her family, but I will really miss that beautiful little girl. She stole my heart in a week, and I will not let go of her with dry eyes. I cannot imagine what the fulltime staff and returning volunteers are going through, being connected to these kids for so much longer.
I may also lose my last room mate to yet another evacuation plane. Those four girls shared a very significant experience with me, and it will be hard to lose that companionship. I understand their choice to return home, I will not pretend I haven't wished I was at home a million times throughout this week. But when they woke us up late last night and gave us the chance to leave on a plane in the morning, I had such peace about staying, and so I am still here. God is not done with me yet!
Pray for us to run and not grow weary, to walk and not grow faint, to be lifted up on wings like eagles. Pray that all our kids that are leaving tomorrow would be safe, and absolutely revel in their forever families love. Pray that the countries that have not yet opened their borders would have compassion for these kids and take them in. And pray for us to constantly praise God for His goodness and love which He is just pouring on us here!
God bless you guys as I have been blessed by your encouragement, prayers, love and support!
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