One week!

Hi all!

Well, we've officially been here a week now! (We arrived very early last Wednesday morning.) God is amazing in the ways he is constantly using us to serve the children. He is providing us with lots of patience and abundant love for these little ones. I can definitely say I am loving it here. I absolutely love the kids! I couldn't say that enough. :) This morning we sang and clapped with some of the one year olds while they attempted to dance -so cute. This afternoon we are headed out to a local restaurant with some of the toddlers to buy them milkshakes and brownies. I am finding that I am becoming more and more attached to the kids even though we've only been here for a week.

So, yesterday we were looking at three of the children's "books." The books are photo albums that some of the kids have from families in America, who are about to adopt them in the next couple of months. They were so excited to show me pictures of their Mommies and Daddies and siblings as well as their future pets. But I literally lost it and started sobbing when one of the curious kids who wasn't supposed to be in the room walked in and started crying because he didn't understand why he didn't have a book that he could show me. I tried to cheer him up and eventually he stopped crying but he kept asking why. I can't understand how a person can be so selfish and prideful to the point that they are willing to cut off so many opportunities and a better life for someone else. I mean they put these kids in orphanages for the rest or their childhoods. There actually are several kids here at Amani that are un-adoptable in this way. I am going to be praying that the parents change their minds. All the volunteers decided that we are going to take pictures of the kids who aren't being adopted so that they can have books too though. :) I haven't anticipated how much love I would have for these kids. This trip is going to change my heart and it already has begun. I can't wait to keep you all posted and to tell you all about God's movement here in Uganda :)

Thanks for reading!

Love,

Nikki

Nicole

Zahara

Eve