What comes to mind when you hear the word "orphan?" Do you think of sad children who miss their mothers and fathers? Do you envision a hungry child begging for food and money? Maybe you picture barren walls and rows of beds in an over-crowded house.
During the first half of my time in Nepal, a group of friends from my church and I went on a missions trip to an "orphanage" in Kathmandu. In preparing to visit the children and their parents, I anticipated the above. When we arrived at the home, we were welcomed by 14 children saying "Jaymashe" ("Praise Jesus"). I learned that several of the children had watched their parents die. I saw pictures of their previous home, where they were wearing only a rag as a shirt. I realized the reason the four year olds are the size of two year olds is because they had been so malnurished during the first years of their life. I heard stories of how the mother of the home first adopted two children as a single woman, later married, and she and her husband have now adopted 9 more, and are making plans to bring in at least 5 more children.
Where do the children come from you, like I, ask? Some of the children were found digging through the trash-flooded river banks looking for food; others were adopted from near-by villages. When traveling through Nepal to offer free medical and dental care, Anila and Kabi simply ask children if they want to go to school, and if so, the child is given the opportunity.
The children now have a better chance in life, and it's because they did not have one before. We think "orphan" means having so much less, not having a home or parents or a real place in the world. But, because these children had less, they now have so much more. Soundai and Ramesh have daily meals, clean water, and even vitamin supplements to ensure they are healthy. Jeevan and Sapana have a clean home, beds, even a t.v. to share so they can argue with their bothers and sisters about which cartoon to watch. Bikram and Anush have a mom and dad who care about their education and their future, and ensure they go to school 6 days a week so they can make Nepal and the world a better place. Most importantly though, they all have someone to pray for and with them, to take them to church, and to teach them about God's love.
All of the children are blessed to live not in an orphanage, but in a home with a family.
During the first half of my time in Nepal, a group of friends from my church and I went on a missions trip to an "orphanage" in Kathmandu. In preparing to visit the children and their parents, I anticipated the above. When we arrived at the home, we were welcomed by 14 children saying "Jaymashe" ("Praise Jesus"). I learned that several of the children had watched their parents die. I saw pictures of their previous home, where they were wearing only a rag as a shirt. I realized the reason the four year olds are the size of two year olds is because they had been so malnurished during the first years of their life. I heard stories of how the mother of the home first adopted two children as a single woman, later married, and she and her husband have now adopted 9 more, and are making plans to bring in at least 5 more children.
Where do the children come from you, like I, ask? Some of the children were found digging through the trash-flooded river banks looking for food; others were adopted from near-by villages. When traveling through Nepal to offer free medical and dental care, Anila and Kabi simply ask children if they want to go to school, and if so, the child is given the opportunity.
The children now have a better chance in life, and it's because they did not have one before. We think "orphan" means having so much less, not having a home or parents or a real place in the world. But, because these children had less, they now have so much more. Soundai and Ramesh have daily meals, clean water, and even vitamin supplements to ensure they are healthy. Jeevan and Sapana have a clean home, beds, even a t.v. to share so they can argue with their bothers and sisters about which cartoon to watch. Bikram and Anush have a mom and dad who care about their education and their future, and ensure they go to school 6 days a week so they can make Nepal and the world a better place. Most importantly though, they all have someone to pray for and with them, to take them to church, and to teach them about God's love.
All of the children are blessed to live not in an orphanage, but in a home with a family.
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