So many children...by Natalie

There is a song by a Christian artist, Sara Groves, called "Esther". Jeff and I really like it because it talks about being compelled by what we see and doing something about it. The song is about a woman (Esther) that goes to Africa and helps children. Here is the chorus, so you'll have an idea of what I am getting at:

"Now Esther has 2.4 million children. She writes us and asks us to pray for them all! She’s compelled, she’s compelled by what she’s seen. And she tells us, she tells us do anything you can To help, oh please help, there’s so much to do and I’m just Esther"

I never thought that volunteering in an orphanage would be so hard! I have always worked with kids in the best of conditions: their homes or at church. These kids have nothing compared to the kids that have been in my care, and so I feel so unprepared. I feel like I have nothing to offer them. They need so much. Their facilities here are filthy. How can you bathe the children when the showers are moldy and nasty. Or encourage sanitary habits when the toilet bowl is filled with unfinished business and reeks? How can you wash a child's hands when there is no soap and the towels are wet from being on the floor after they step out of the shower?
What I keep on telling myself, is that this place will never be like the homes that I have worked in. Its just not going to happen! The most important goal in these shelters, is to simply provide food and shelter for these kids. Cleanliness is not top priority.

My personal goal is to add a little bit of love and gentleness in these kids' lives! There are so many children and not enough working hands! The workers are exhausted and that leads to emotional and physical burn out. They are drained, fatigued and overworked. I think that by me being here, even if just for a really short time, gives the workers somewhat of a mental break!

So back to the song... There are countless children in this country that need love and attention. The number just seems to multiply! So I feel like Esther, writing to you, saying, "Pray for them all...Do anything you can to help, oh please help! There is so much to do and I'm just Esther." In all reality, I am not really doing all that much. I have not laid down my life for these children by any means. But I feel that whatever I can do, will help in some small way. Every smile and hug shows them that they are special and loved and never forgotten!

I encourage any of you who read this to consider volunteering in an orphanage, shelter or soup kitchen at some point in your lives. Its just reveals in a very vivid way, how others in this beautiful, sick world strive for survival. Just do whatever you can and you will be blessed!

Natalie