Thursday

Today's VBS topic was "forgiveness" - something that can be very helpful to all of us but I feel especially to these little ones that have experienced so much - way more than they ever should have to. The lesson was simple - God has forgiven us and He asks that we forgive others. Simple idea...*very* difficult to comprehend for children that are in survival mode every moment of their day! We did several activities to act out what forgiveness can look like and had some great discussion with them about what's happening in their lives that they need help to forgive.
We brought the 8-11 year olds bowling and to the park this afternoon - great to see them having so much fun, encouraging each other and getting along. When we returned to the center the kids put on a pageant called
"Hope at the Cross" that tied in all the VBS topics from the week - honesty, truth, bodies/self-image, and forgiveness. We ended the night with a pizza and ice cream party, which was a special treat for the kids.

It doesn't seem fair that some kids have been dealt a *great* hand in life and some kids seem like they've been handed nothing at all. One of the boys asked me for some socks today...he has a single pair of his own and they are completely tattered and ripped.  We'll be giving him every pair of socks of our own that we brought tomorrow.
The kids at the center are realizing that our time together is coming to an end - they were all extra clingy and affectionate tonight as we left - running to the fence and pressing their faces against it, "Bye miss!!!! You come back tomorrow miss!!! Don't forget!" I am positive I won't be able to hold it together tomorrow when we leave them for the final time. I was a mess tonight and I know that we'll see them tomorrow!