I think I tasted heaven…

Today we went back to Noel Orphanage. We had the joy of walking with the kids to church. The journey entailed walking along side a road then up a hill to where the church sat. I couldn’t find Jean Claude anywhere so I walked with other kids.

The church itself has history. During the genocide, thousands of people took refuge there thinking they would be unharmed in a place of worship. It turns out that it made it easier for those seeking to kill. The church was lit on fire and those inside died.

We experienced the Catholic service with the children and then made the long trek back down the hill. We then toured where there are schools that Noel Orphanage sends some children to. We came upon a large field that sat next to a memorial. That memorial contained the remains of those that died in the church that horrible day in 1994. What history. As I contemplated the memorial and all that it entailed, I saw my sweet Jean Claude come running to me. My heart was happy as he jumped in my arms for a hug. He found me!

We sat and played with the children in the field and a tremendous peace flowed. There is nothing quite like being with kids who love so easily. Jean Claude took his spot in my lap while other kids played peek-a-boo around me. For a while I felt like a jungle gym with kids throwing their arms around me for hugs.

We walked back to the orphanage and helped feed the girls their lunch. We were invited to enjoy a three course meal with the directors of the orphanage and of The Point Foundation, which aids in the orphanage’s needs.

After lunch we went to a big warehouse and watched several young men drum their lives away. They were using small broken sticks for drumsticks that would cause them to hit their fingers. The broken sticks would break even smaller, making them go look for more. The drumming continued as special dancing and singing and acrobatics were performed by the children. Just goes to show that you go to love on kids and they love on you more. Those kids need us but I am still convinced that we need them more!

After the talent display we went and held more babies, play more volleyball and prepared ourselves to say goodbye. Before I left, I found a jump rope that we didn’t give out and hid it in my pocket. I grabbed Jean Claude’s hand and we slipped away unnoticed to an area where there were no kids around. I gave him the jump rope and told him it was just for him. I told him that Jesus loves him and that I loved him too. That’s what it’s all about: Jesus’ love for him. I just got to be part of it.

I will never forget that sweet time in an open field with beautiful faces and my sweet Jean Claude cuddling in my lap. I think I tasted heaven.

Jean Claude is in front of me in the purple sweater