Armie

This is Armie. She is 5 years old. She is a silly, fun, regular kid. One time she put on someone else's socks that were way too big and had bright colored stripes. She laughed so hard at herself! Whenever I come over to the home she takes my hand and says, "Let's go swing Tita (auntie)!" Her teeth are not perfect but her smile is so beautiful, it's easy to overlook that. They don't have flouride in the water here, so it's much harder to keep your teeth free of decay.

Armie told me her story one day as we sat on the swings. Her father had hit her and she had bruises on her legs and arms. Her mom brought he to see a doctor and he ended up in jail. She says her mom is now in Japan. I have no idea how accurate this story is and she doesn't seem to know much else. But I said I was sorry and asked her if she was sad and she said, "No! I'm happy!" Armie cannot be adopted, much like many of the kids here because they are not free of family ties. But they all seem to view this as their one and only home and don't have any wish to leave. This really is their family. Kids are not coming in and out. They are just here for the long term.

We are trying to balance loving these kids, but not being the center of their world, so when we leave they will be fine. There are full time workers here to be their contants and we hope it will just be like a kindergartener having to say goodbye to their teacher when we leave. Sad, but normal. Pray for Armie and her future!