A very special Ring

Maria is a sweet little girl that qualifies to attend the Manna Feeding program.  She arrived a bit late today so we didn't get to hug like we usually do.  After the devotion and food being served I went over and hugged her.  She reached in her purse.   Grabbed my hand. And put this ring on my finger.  I knelt down to her level and gave her the biggest hug I could, told her I loved her, and let her get back to eating.  She didn't make a big fuss so I didn't want to either. My heart was so touched by her kindness and it was hard to keep the lump in my throat from becoming a sob.

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Immediately what came to mind is where did she get it?  And should I keep it?  It isn't an expensive ring from what I can tell - but to me it is worth a million dollars.  I asked Papa Pedro if it would be okay if I accepted the gift and he said yes.  I thanked Maria again after she ate and told her how special it was to me.

I do not know anything about her family or her life.  I do know her life is totally different than those children that are in my life in the U.S.  

The meal she gets at Manna could very well be her only meal for the day? Most of the time she wears the same clothes all week.  Maria is very bashful but smiles a lot. My lack of conversational Spanish in moments like this is beyond frustrating.  I told her how special the ring was to me and that I loved her.  

 And have continued to think about her all day long.   Does she have a mom and dad at home?  What sort of living conditions is she living in?  Is she treated properly in her home?  Is she going to school?  And the list goes on.  I love and pray for all the children here at Eagle's Nest.  May God watch over and protect them.

Blessings to you,

Denise

But Jesus said, "Let the children come to me.  Don't stop them.  For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs

to such as these."  Matthew:19:14 

Short note

Jose Luis helping at Manna

Manna kids arriving - (Josephine - Sarah is in the Yellow shirt)

Onoria, Diana, and Rosita helping with Manna

Alex getting every last drop of soup

Miriam or Estella -Sisters, new to home, get them mixed up

Elana taking a big bite with the big spoon

It is late so this will be a short blog.  Yesterday Larry, Claire, and myself were able to varnish the dressers for the girls rooms.  Last week the team that was here did an amazing job and custom made dressers while they were here.  The girls will each have two drawers a piece for clothes.  The open shelf cabinets they use now will be used for shoes and books.  The children have a pair of shoes for church, one for school, and one for play.  A team came down at Christmas and gave all of the children new tennis shoes which was awesome.  Since the home has grown from thirty two to forty eight they now feed the children in shifts and it seems to work out very well. The young kids in high chairs learn to feed themselves at a very young age. No dishwasher in the kitchen so I try to help the Mamma's with washing dishes when I can.  Most days I try to sneak in when the babies are on the floor playing to spend some time with them.  They are all so precious.

The Manna Feeding program is at 1:30 each day and I also try not to miss that.  It is so awesome that the older kids at the Home are helping the ladies serve the meals each day.   So many ways to serve here at Eagle's Nest.  Just an awesome Ministry and so blessed to be able to serve here.

Blessings to you,

Denise

Teach your children to choose the right path, and when the are older, 

they will remain upon it. Proverbs 22:6 

Abi is new since I was here last year

Elana is new since I was here last year

Victoria has grown since I was last here

Ever and Dulce playing

Valerie is new - sleeps alot still

Ladies that work the Manna feeding program

Varnished Dressers for the girls rooms

Toddlers and Baby Girls Room

Cribs in Toddler/Baby Girl room

Children arriving for Manna Feeding program

Antoinette exercises Angel who is Special Needs, he loves the exercises

Self Portrait with Ever

Self Portrait with Dulce

Angel  smiling during exercises, new to home since last year

Dulce has been here since she was 7 months

Lizzy - has been here since she was a baby

Abi  is new to the Home since last year

Most Days

Sweet Little Valerie - 2 months old

 Thought I would share what a typical day is like for me while I am serving here at Eagle's Nest.
 I have been helping a teacher with class prep in the mornings.

Classroom Prep in the mornings.

 Go love on the babies. Organized the school supply room. Went and loved on babies.  Cleaned windows in school.  Children's little fingerprints are  everywhere.  Love on the kids.


Help with Manna Feeding program.  So proud that the older girls are helping the workers serve the food each day.  The man donates the monthly funds to buy food and pay the workers was here last week.  He has a roofing business in New Jersey.  His family had to evacuate during Hurricane Sandy.  His home is being repaired now after having two feet of water in it. He said he that business had gotten very slow and had been unsure if he was going to be able to keep funding the Manna.  Sort of a catch twenty two because he said the damage from Sandy was horrible but it probably saved his business.  Thankful for that.

Onoria (black shirt),  Diana (green) and Rosita (pink) help with Manna

Manna Kids - Maria is the oldest

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Manna Feeding - Kids from the Village

Manna Kids stack dirty dishes outside

Back to a day here. Got some painting done.  Ran errands with Claire for supplies needed. Help the Mamma's with diapers, feeding, washing dishes, laundry, etc.  Wendy, I hope that is her name, was in the laundry room scrubbing a mop towel clean in the laundry room.  She had not been in the Home long but it was very obvious that she had done laundry and cleaning before.  Children learn to work and become very independent at a very young age here.

Wendy scrubbing a towel clean in the Pila

As I go from one thing to another I of course love and hug on the kids.

 Try to do exercise classes with all the kids most days.  Don't have any photos of that to share - hopefully later. They seem to really have fun running and doing whatever exercises come to mind, depending on the age group.  It is great fun.                                             

Mariella (a worker - Mamma) and Valerie

  A couple of the small girls, sisters, were treated for Lice last week  Had no clue that is why they had the scarves tied on but quickly found out.  The girls are both just adorable and also new here.                                          

Miriam

Estella

Alex

Alex I suppose is around two.  When I enter the Home he runs up saying okay, okay, okay.  It is just precious.  He seems very smart for his age and repeats everything you say.  He is very affectionate and I love that he wants a hug every time I see him.  Just can't love on them enough.

Maria

Flory

Gorgeous sunset

I want to be available to do whatever is needed wherever it is needed while I am here.

The sunsets are always gorgeous.  Thanks for your prayers as I continue to serve the next 

two weeks.  Off to church now -  Denise

I assure you when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, 

you were doing it to me.  Matthew 25:40