Yesterday was my first actual day of working at the 7^th Heaven Orphanage. We meet Nellie, the owner, at 1:15 to help out for the day. When we got their she gave us multiple chores to do to help out around the house, like mopping the floors and cleaning her refrigerator. However, they only took about 20 minutes and we ended up just playing with the kids the entire time. It was such a blessing to actually start getting to know the kids on a personal basis. They are all so sweet! They range in age and they are all so different and have such different stories! The youngest, Axa, is adorable. She is two years old and has a very funny personality. Her hair is in three braids that stick out in each direction. She loves to take our hands and swing off of the bricks behind her house. Axa will only be at the orphanage until November because her parents are fighting for custody and want her back. So during that time she is staying with Ms. Nellie. The next child's name is Cornelius. He is a pretty quiet and shy kid but I think he just needs to step out of his box and really get to know me. He is 6 years old but is literally the exact same size as Axa, the 2 year old. He is a survivor of severe malnutrition and it is a shear miracle that he is still alive. So even thought he is way older that Axa, they look the same age. It was very shocking to find this out, because the day before I had no idea that this was the case. Moving on is Arnaldo. He is currently 7 and will be turning 8 this Friday! Hopefully we can make him a cake or some cupcakes... ! Anyways, he doesn't really talk that much. The whole time we were there he didn't play any games with us. Mostly, he just sat with us and watched us play some African games that some of the older girls taught us. Next is Tessa, or Tess. She is eleven and is only in 2^nd grade. I believe that she was found on the streets by Nellie about 6 years ago. She has crazy hair and I love it! And lastly is Linda. Linda is 13. She had been there the longest and calls Ms. Nellie mom. I think that she helps out Nellie the most.

We played with them for a long time. It was awesome! They played games with us, drew with sidewalk chalk, drew pictures, worked on homework, taught me some Afrikaans words, and danced. Cornelius danced for us and I was crying I was laughing so hard! It was so cute! All of them danced for us and taught us a dance to Shackles by MaryMary. When I get home, I will show everyone. When it was time to leave, we said goodbye and gave hugs. I have everyone high fives and taught them how to "pound it". As we left, they yelled that they loved us. It was such a relief to me that they said that. I was ecstatic that they felt like they could say that to us. That is what they need the most. Love. Sometimes when missionaries come to J-Bay, they build relationships by buying people things. There are so many street kids. Whenever you walk on the streets, you will have them ask you for money, bread, drinks, etc. People buy them things and don't get to know them on a personal level. It hurts our reputation because they think that we will just buy them things. That's not why we are here. We are here to help people come to Christ by building lasting and loving relationships. We are not here to buy a loaf a bread to a street kid and then never see them again. It is important to build relationships with them first. Then if you really think that they are in need, you can help them out financially, or with food. In actuality, love is what they need more. They need a good friend that will love them to death.

Anyways, I think I had a pretty productive day yesterday!!!