Last day of children camp for the Vanguard Team…

Yesterday afternoon we were given a chance to visit a baby orphanage where kids from age two to seven stay until they are adopted or transferred to an orphanage for older kids.

We had a special time with these precious children who surrounded us and latched on immediately. We played in the sandbox, swung them in the swings, pushed them on their tricycles, played ball and blew bubbles.  We had so much fun just loving them and spending the few hours we were given.  Precious children, whom we hope will be adopted by wonderful families.

Today was the last day of our 2 week camp at the TB Children Center.

For friends and family who are worried about our location: this is a place where kids who have been exposed to TB come to be checked and go through a 3-6 month treatment.  Here the children are provided a better environment for raising their immune system and making sure there is no trace of the disease.  All of the children come from very broken homes, where they are emotionally, psychologically and physically abused.   No child is contagious, thus making it safe for our team to be at this ministry location.

What an amazing way to end these incredible last two weeks.  We were able to just do a short skit and then the kids had one more chance to play all the games we showed them, and some extra fun stuff we had planned.  We spent two hours playing games, doing the little girls nails, and face painting that eventually lead to arms and hand paint as well.

Our goal was with the last two hours we were able to plan for with the kids to just be full of smiles and us getting the chance to show them as much love as we could.

The kids had a great time and were so excited about everything that we did whether it was a game of water balloon toss or Kayla painting their cute little cheeks with hearts and rocket ships.

At the end of the two hours to our surprise they had things planned for us as well. They sung songs to us in Russian that we could not help but smile while we listen to all of their adorable voices.  They also gave us each pictures and gifts that meant more to us then they probably even know.

When it came time to leave, the kids showered us with hugs and genuine smiles, some even tears telling us thank you and good bye.  It made this entire two weeks make sense, everything that we have done and spent time on really made a difference to these kids and it all was shown in their simple smiles and their long hugs of gratitude.

All of us will never forget any of these kids and what they have shown us about love.

Now that we have the rest of our day off we are headed to a Russian Sauna, we are all curious to see how that will end up.  Not to worry we will keep you posted. 🙂

Dosvedanya

Kat, Desire, Kayla, Tiffany, Olya, Matt, Eric, Jon and Dale