Team AWAKE: Almost Awake

Team JAMES' spinoff, Team AWAKE (Annie, Winsome, Alan, Katherine, Elissa) arrived at Shepherd's Field this past Friday (5/13). Or, more accurately, 3/5 of the team--the "vowels"--arrived; we're operating on staggered schedules. (Speaking of staggered--we're staggering a bit, ourselves, just beginning to get over jet lag. The first morning our attempt to sleep through the night was thwarted by major construction work next door--which apparently involves setting off explosive charges at 4AM!)

So far, we've enjoyed great interactions with the children in two of the houses here -- House of Peace and House of Blessing. One of the highlights was a special dinner out; yesterday we brought some of the young girls from one of the houses to a local restaurant, where they gave us a private room. We were celebrating the eighth birthday of Noel Song, a joyfully determined little girl with cerebral palsy. The girls seemed to have endless appetites as they negotiated a parade of new foods. At the end of the meal, when Elissa explained that the evening was in honor of Noel's birthday and produced a small elegant cake, the whole room broke into singing "Dzu-ni sen er cuai-le" (Happy Birthday to you); Noels face lit up with a delighted smile. Afterwards, we wheeled the girls in their wheelchairs down the strip of shops leading back to the orphanage. We put the pedal to the metal and mounted a full-out wheelchair race, and the girls laughed their way through the friendly (but vigorous!) competition.


Noel & Noel Joy

Clarissa

Will



Francis




Robert loving Julias' gifts

 

Moses



Alan the elevator

Noel modeling clothing from Nilda

Alan, Perry & Francis







Noel




Elissa & Noel <3




Noel beaming with Joy!


Yesterday, Annie, the RN on our team, made the rounds with the Village's physician, Dr. Moody. It was particularly meaningful for Annie to begin to better understand the stories behind some of the children's disabilities and also to begin to get a clearer picture of the medical needs here at Shepherd's Field. Annie is wonderfully purpose-driven, and will surely be thinking intently and creatively about how she and others might partner with the Children's Village in order to enhance the health and comfort of the kids here.




Annie & Grady



Annie & Connor

Although we're still feeling the time change, and having difficulty staying up until an appropriate bedtime, we're slowly acclimating. We really do want to live up to our team's name.

Blessings,

Alan