Life is good here. I feel like I've finally gotten adjusted to this culture, and my heart for the orphans is bigger than ever. Man, these orphans have just stolen my heart. They are so loveable!

A few stories for y'all:

So, on one of our shopping days I got several really cheap children's books at a Christian bookstore. One of the books I got was a Childrens Bible Story book with pictures and everything. We've been using it a little bit at the orphanages when we share stories with them. And the absolutely LOVE it! They will just sit and look through all the pictures, remembering little details from the stories and naming the people in the pictures. I have quickly discovered that one of my most favoritest things EVER is just sitting with a group of orphans around me as I read them Bible stories. It just doesn't get much better than that.

I've also discovered how much joy there is in praying with the children. One of the little girls at the orphanage was really sad one day, and so I was asking her what was wrong. I found out that her mom (Yes, many of the orphans still have living parents that just can't support them financially, and therefore send them to an orphanage) had broken her arm. I've never seen someone so sad over a broken arm before. I asked her if I could pray for her mom, and her eyes lit up and a smile came across her face. After I prayed for her, her whole demeanor changed. She was so happy, and therefore I was too. We found out a little later that her mom was doing better. Prayer is so powerful.

A lot of us have come to really notice the selflessness and humility of everyone at the orphanage. Ok picture this: There are 22 children total. The oldest is a 15 year old boy, and the next oldest is probably only 10. I'm telling you – if that 15 year old was about 8 or 9 years older, I would so be in love with him. He is such a servant! And he does everything without complaining. I have NEVER heard him complain. And he is always so full of joy, and eagerness to help out with everything they ask him to do and more. And the thing is that this 15 year old never really leaves the orphanage except to go to school. How many 15 year olds do I know back home that would complain themselves to death if this was a way of life for them.

But this is just the way of life for him. The orphanage "parents" and the other 2 workers there are the same way. I got to thinking about how all the workers at the orphanage do all day long is serve. I mean, they get up and fix breakfast for the kids, give them baths, wash clothes all day long, and fix lunch. Everything they do is for those kids. Usually they don't have time for themselves until about 3. So that's when they'll get a shower and eat for themselves. SO SELFLESS!!

Their attitude is so much like that of Christ's – like in Philippians 2. I think about them when I read those verses. I want my life to be that selfless. I have been praying so much recently that I would have the eyes of the Lord, and that I would take care of the things on His heart. I want the humility that sees people as better than themselves.

Oh God, less of me and more of You.

Less of US and more of YOU.