famous

The anticipation was palpable as we waited for the students that would help out at the orphanage. Ten arrived with grins (at CARE EE) and nervous giggles at the adventure that lay before them. A few have been visiting the orphanage on their own as tutors. Today they would be "face painters" now anxious to get on the way.

Our group walked through the campus, making quite a scene (we were 18 all together) carrying boxes and bags of food and toys for the children. Getting loaded into a taxi was another story. It was no problem getting taxis to stop - but getting the students to decide who would ride in which car, who would carry the money, who would tell the directions.... you can't imagine the cacaphony that ensued on the corner!

Finally we arrived. The director soon followed and with a big hug welcomed us again and took us up to the children (on the fourth and fifth floor of a renovated building). They screamed, they giggled, they smiled, they hugged - and they felt love - again.

They were beautiful. They were growing up, and as I showed them the photo album I made from last year I was sure to convey - they are not forgotten, they hold a special place in my heart and they are loved by many. It was fun showing them the "Shandong Pictorial" magazine. I asked if they knew they were famous? They had no idea. They laughed and gawked at the photo in the article - pointing out who was who and smiling with pride.

The program was engaging and after, the real fun began. The students and I set up face painting stations and set the example books out. What excitement, what fun, what delight on their faces! Then we took poloroids after as they smiled broadly at their new creations. It was the first time they had done anything like that - but it won't be the last (I left all the paraphenalia (the paints, books and brushes) behind).

The testimony remains - the witness of remembrance, the language of love
and the greatest of these is love!