This past week here at Eagle's Nest orphanage has been amazing for so many reasons. Tonight, when we dropped the kids back off at their home, I pondered one lesson that I’ve observed all week. Within these walls I’ve observed kids watching out for one another on a daily basis. Of course I’ve also seen kids engaging in the usual sibling rivalry, however what stood out to me this evening is how these children often show warmth and affection one to another on a very regular basis!

They really have each other’s backs. The older children will often pick up the younger, play with them, make them laugh, shower them with hugs and kisses and hold them when they're crying.

Today the entire orphanage participated in a pool party organized by the United Youth Corps group. It was slightly chaotic, but all of the children (and most of the adults) had a blast! The younger kids started out with some Jonah themed crafts and stickers, and then made sponge balls. The older kids began in the pool, and the younger ones joined them before long. It suddenly became a giant war with sponge balls flying in every direction, people being pushed into the water, and everything that could possibly make a lifeguard cringe. Whoever showed up at the pool in normal clothes left soaking wet. The majority of the 2-5 year olds were fully clothed, but that did little to deter them. They plopped down in basins, and poured buckets of water on each other's heads.