The world is as many times new as there are children in our lives ~Robert Brault
We went on a Sunday morning to deliver bags of rice, oil and school supplies. We sat in a hot and stuffy room consisting of wood benches and concrete walls, packed in with the sand fleas. The kids all sang their hearts out in a way I've never seen, and it was beautiful.
Exodus House is an orphanage on the outskirts of Cotonou. Mercy Ships has partnered with Exodus house and made multiple trips during this outreach to help build bunk beds, deliver food and school supplies, and just spend time getting to know the children. Usually between fifty and seventy five children reside here, some with families close by that just can't afford to keep them. Others don't have parents at all. I had the opportunity to visit the kids at Exodus Orphanage just once before our departure out of Benin.
About ten of us went on a Sunday morning to provide some donations and spend time with the children. We attended church where we sang songs (mostly in French) and I have never seen children worship with so much enthusiasm and love. Especially when you think of the circumstances in which they live and the passion they have. Completely inspiring. We heard a short message and we were encouraged to come up and share a favorite bible verse or word of encouragement.
After the church service we spent time playing with the kids. Living amongst fifty other children with just a few caregivers makes for some children that want love! This was apparent by their desire to constantly touch us and talk to us and just love on us the entire day. I brought stickers and nail polish which went a long way with everyone. Interestingly, the African children only want to paint their left hand. The right hand is the dominant hand used for every day tasks so they keep this hand unpainted.
One girl asked to get the nails on her right hand painted as well, and let me tell you, the other children were more than upset, as this was not ok!
Our very typical lunch by African standards. Yum!! Always available - massive amounts of carbohydrates (at least a good three cups of rice in this bowl)!
Our lunch was a gesture of thanks for all the work Mercy Ships had accomplished during our time in Benin. The children were amazingly well-behaved and had good manners and hygiene practices. This was so refreshing to see in comparison to the normal African standards of children on the street. In visiting just one time you could tell these children were cared for well. They were charming, friendly, joyful and beautiful!
This little guy was precious wearing my sunglasses!
Proud of her beautiful hand!
Leah and her new friends
People say the difference between happiness and joy is that joy is independent of circumstance. You can still be joyful when you have so little to call your own, because joy is an attitude of the heart. This was so evident amongst the children at Exodus House. They reminded me that the richest person isn't always the one who has the most, but rather the one who needs the least.
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