I am baffled by the amounts of trash. I see it out of every corner of my eye. Why? Why? Why does it have to be like this? Some things are definitely out of our control and we just have to trust that everything will be okay. Why do I feel so compelled to fix it? So...I continue to do my part on a small scale at the orphanage. I sweep, then I sweep some more, and some more. But wait! No dustpan? I had a dream last night...a dream about my kitchen floor mop...oh how exhilarating it would be to clean their floors with it! A girl can only dream...
Lucky Supermarket-literally where we can purchase random, lucky items. Hmmmm...what about donuts? Sure. "Could we please get 50 donuts and soymilks to go, please?" What a treat for the kids! I witness their meals, and they're always the same-cup of rice and broth with a sprinkle of veggies. Imagine that...could you make it your reality? It has been my reality for the past week or so, and I'm getting accustomed to it. I do have the option to eat fried rice, but I experienced the consequences-no ankles in sight. I do highly value the organic foods here though...no crazy pesticides to worry about.
Sock-nee, the boy who made me a personalized bracelet, granted me some time to have a conversation today. I asked him about his family and how he arrived at CHA. His immediate reply-no mother, no father, no sister, no brother. His grandmother dropped him off, but she is no more. My heart sank. I looked right into his eyes and said, I am so sorry. I just wanted to scoop him up and stuff him in my suitcase and take him home with me. To be honest, I want to do that with Isaal, Hin, and Thong as well. I just want to give them so much love, hug them and squeeze them, wrap them in clean sheets, take them to Larkburger and get them a vanilla shake...I love them like they were my own. I call Isaal my lil Axel, as he is the only boy at the orphanage receiving Axel's donated clothing, because he is the smallest one.
I read I LOVE YOU STINKY FACE to 6 boys today, and while I read they pointed out pictures on the page. The kids desperately want to learn, they want to be read to, they want attention, and that is why we are here. As I spoke with Noit today, she asked when we were leaving. When I told her it was this weekend, she turned her face from me and the smile morphed into an immediate frown. So I told her I would come back sometime soon-jackpot-immediate frown reversal. I will come back. I will come back. I will bring a new group...this is my new mission.
Life is so different here...as we drive around in the tuk-tuk from place to place, I take it all in. So many homeless roaming the streets, trying desperately to earn some money. Women with newborns strung over their shoulders, begging. The disabled selling RayBans and books...and then the wealthy, driving around in a Lexus.
I am simply in awe. I am processing each visual situation. What a hard life individuals have here...I appreciate my home, my family, my friends. I don't come from a wealthy family at all...but here, I feel like I've been spoiled in America. Things will change when I get back. I will make the changes. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for molding me into the person I am today. I love you both so much!
No comments:
Post a Comment