The children

     It is amazing how involved you can become with some of the children here at Emmanuel. I am sure mine is not a unique experience but you get very close to certain kids here. We love all the children, know most of them, but are very close to only a few of them. They become very special to you and your family. They may be a child you sponsor or maybe a child that you were drawn to when you first set foot here. There are several children here that have a piece of our heart.
      I think one of the reasons it is so hard to leave here each time is because you feel that you are leaving part of your family behind. I certainly feel that way about "our kids" and I think they return those feelings. We try to send a little something on each container for each of them. Some nice shampoo, conditioner for the girls, hair grease for the boys, toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, and a letter. Ah, the letter. There is probably nothing that we could do that pleases them more than just writing them a letter. Something so simple but something so powerful in its effect. They love to get letters almost as much as they like writing them.
     I can't believe the friendships I have with people I never knew until we met on facebook due to a picture of mine that they found or one of theirs that I found of a child here. From Pennsylvania to Maine to the Carolinas, to Tennessee to Alabama all the way to California. We take pictures of our kids for each other. We give messages to our kids for each other. We chat about how we miss them and how can we get back to see them sooner. The devotion shared is almost cult like. All for these beautiful, wonderful children.
     I am also very touched by the devotion that I witness each month associated with the Container Loading in Chattanooga. From the people in Gainesville who always have supplies, clothes, food, and gifts to those who help us get them to the warehouse each month. Then there are the wonderful folks in Chattanooga. Enough can't be said about them. They plan, store, find, and load the container each month and with the precision of which the Marines would be proud!  All because they connected with their set of kids.
     It is hard to describe to folks that have never been to Emmanuel just how we feel. I suppose this blog seems a little crazy. But those who have been here I think will understand exactly what I'm talking about. That beautiful smile or those gorgeous eyes or that shy look they give you. That face that stays in your mind's eye every day. Whenever we feel down all we have to do is close our eyes and we are magically transported back to this very special place!