Monday, January 5, 2015

Because I'm Happy...

Clap along if you know what happiness means to you!

This morning happiness for some of the students came in the form of 
“prayer squares”; little hand knit squares with a note attached to them stating that they are loved and being prayed for.  These were made by some women at our church as a reminder to the students and teachers that they are in the hearts of people on the other side of the world. 
As you will see, they were received with great joy!









I am forever moved by the excitement in the children’s faces every time they see us; after all, who are we to be treated with such enthusiasm?  I truly wish I could bottle it and bring it home with me to share so everyone could feel what we feel when we are greeted with such affection.  
My sister sent me this quote and I thought it fit perfectly...

"The moments of happiness we enjoy
take us by surprise.
It is not that we seize them,
but that they seize us".








We were delighted to see so many of the hostel children with their 
Teddy Bears today 
and our hearts were filled with happiness to hear how many of them
 named them after their sponsors.  



Siri received a Teddy Bear for her unborn child.
(less then a month to go for her) :)
This afternoon/evening we visited a neighboring village where we had the chance to meet our drivers family...

the doctor who helps care for the hostel and school children...

Novahu's sisters family, where we ate dinner...

and many other adults and children both from The Marshall School 
and from the village itself.
Again, we are humbled to be welcomed into their homes with such passion and offered simple treats and a pop knowing how little they have.


a sweet sticky something that tasted like cherry licorice.
Bathrooms with running water to wash our hands were not available,
so the mother walked around with a bowl and pitcher so we could rinse off.



Happiness under the moonlight.  These children chased behind our vehicle all the way
out of the village cheering and yelling their good-byes!

When we returned to the hostel Loobie and Emma
performed a song for the children.







But entertaining them didn't last long;
before you know it they were right there in the mix of things...

Because they're happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because they're happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because they're happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because they're happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do!








Because I'm happy,
I clapped along because I know what it means to me
Because I'm tired
I'm wrapping this up because my beds where I want to be!



just like this little boy!! :)

Namaste'~Jenny


5 comments:

  1. These words, these photos, fill my heart. What a story you are creating.

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  2. I love the picture of baby dolls face with her sweet sticky something...reminds me of Wally when he's eating a snickers...or my sissie when she's eating a dove chocolate! What a gentle reminder to be grateful for not only the big but most of all the small...a prayer square! Fills my heart with happiness and love! Your are in my heart, and in my prayers. xoxoxoxoxoxo p.s. I saw my Nick E. in the first picture....I thought he was downstairs ;)

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  3. Jenny, I cannot tell you how much these posts mean to us. We love read the words and pour over the pictures. We love to learn the lessons in gratitude that are overflowing from every post. We are so blessed! I cannot tell you how much it means to me that you are sharing God's love with everyone you see. It is truly a beautiful thing. God bless all of you, and please know that your love is spreading in every direction! "Let all that you do be done in love."

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  4. I'm so glad that you are all able to do this. :)

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