A big family - Janeen’s reflections
Janeen with a colorful Sofia
Janeen, of SeaTac Bible Church, Auburn, Washington visited the Orphanage for the first time in January. Here she shares about her experiences, including the unusually cold weather at the Orphanage.
I had heard several things about the orphanage before leaving, but I still didn’t know what to expect, so I had a pretty open mind upon arriving there on January 3, 2007. At first I didn’t know what to think, but a couple days into it I started to realize something that God was more then likely trying to teach me. These people and children taught me something about faith. Here in the U.S. we worry about so much stuff that we shouldn’t. At the orphanage if they woke up without water or electricity, no big deal, just work around it and keep going. I also noticed that everyone there was cold, since a couple days didn’t get above freezing, and if it did it wasn’t much above freezing, but I really never heard them complaining about it. They don’t have heat either, which made things a little interesting for my cousin Callie and myself. Also, they have a rather laid back atmosphere that surprised me at first, but when I got the hang of that laid back atmosphere, I started to relax myself. Perhaps God is still working in that area in my life, and not to be so rigid on things, and just to relax in Christ.
The most important things that I have shared with several people, is that the El Sauzal Orphanage isn’t really an orphanage. Sure they take care of orphan kids, but they are a big family. The way everyone takes care of each other, and how they look out for each other is totally amazing. It really reminded me of how the church family should act towards each other. It surprised me how hard it was to leave, as I made the decision for my cousin Callie and me to leave 10 days early due to illness. Even when I wasn’t feeling so well, I still had a hard time leaving. I would like to return again, when it is warmer. Looking at my pictures and the ones on the website makes me a little homesick for them.
Erika bundled up for her unheated office work