My Life As an Eight Cow Wife

       Today I got proposed to....twice! Don't worry momma, I simply kicked them in the shins and fled the scene.  Alright, maybe I just ran to the bus with the rest of my group, but it does sound like a better story if someone ended up getting kicked. :)

     Well, I am now at the Rising Star Outreach Children's School! This is a boarding school for children of families who have been severely affected with leprosy. Some of the children are orphans, while other have parents who live in the colonies.  They come to this school to receive a good education and receive opportunities that wouldn't otherwise be available for them. The school is amazing. There are several full time teachers, and the kids live in a family like environment. They are separated into groups with a group mom watching over about twenty kids. Wow, those women work hard. They spend all day kissing scrapes better, making snacks, breaking up fights and trying to be a teacher, mother, example, mediator, policewoman, lawmaker, Housekeeper, and basically everything else to  the children she is in charge of.  It is truly awe-inspiring to see. What a difficult thing to accomplish.

       I had heard that the kids were incredibly fun and cute but nothing could have prepared me for the welcome I received upon entering the school grounds. In about ten seconds the kids were jumping on the volunteers, giving hugs, and asking me to come play.  I have never seen such a happy group of children or experienced so much love in such a short amount of time. I played catch, soccer, tag, and just talked and laughed with the children. These kids are absolutely HILARIOUS! Haha and I mean sooooo funny. I think the mango boys should just about sum it up. It's hard to believe, while looking at these pictures, that most of these kids have spent almost their entire lives begging for food and struggling to survive on the streets. 

      Leprosy is a disease that changes the lives of entire families. When somebody has leprosy they are considered to have been cursed by God.  They cannot get jobs and are outcasted from society. Many do not know that leprosy is curable and so are sick for years before receiving treatment, thereby leaving permanent scars on their bodies. These people make a living by begging on the streets, and often send their children out to do the same.  The organization that I am with, Rising Star Outreach, is working hard to eradicate leprosy. We provide medical treatment, education to their children, and microloans so that persons afflicted with leprosy can start their own businesses and provide for their families.  

     Tonight I held a boy, aged 4, on my lap and read him a story.  He listened intently to the Indian fairy children's tale about the sneezing elephant. He giggled at the funny parts, and by the end was sneezing along with the story. When I left he hugged me good night. All these kids want is for somebody to love him. Our Heavenly Father has a special place in his heart for these children. I bet he sends his most important angels to spend time with them. 

    Well tomorrow I am working construction at one of the colonies. It's going to be an early morning. Wish me luck! :) I love you! :)

Peace------Becca