May 23rd - 2 more new ones

Next picture is of Beatrice. She is from a family that has been headed by a 14-year-old boy after the father died and the mother abandoned the 5 children. We only took one of them as we have decided not to take any children over 6 years old anymore. (We want to be able to raise them and help form their character and feel this is the age from which we can still do that.) She is doing great - loves the orphanage, tries really hard to speak English and be a part of what is happening. She even ran and gave me a hug this morning when I went over.

2nd picture is of Joel and his grandmother. She is raising about 10 grandchildren as 2 of her children died and the mothers abandoned the children. by the way, this is common here where a woman has few rights over children, and fewer still opportunities to make money to support children. So the mothers abandon the children and marry someone else and have more kids. There are so many of these "throw away" kids in Uganda!

Joel is full of life and little mischievous. He seems to love being with us and wants to be in the middle of all the games and activities. He even misbehaved in Sunday School yesterday, so we know he's feeling a part ;)