From Another Perspective

Each day I find out new things about orphan hosting. I still really don't know much about it, but I will find out a lot in a 4 hour mandatory training tomorrow. 

Today, I decided to look on YouTube for any videos about it. I found an interesting one from the actual orphans' perspectives. They like all the fun in America. It's a good thing we live an active summer lifestyle and our host children love to be active. I just hope they can survive the heat here. One of my translation flash cards for them might need to be, "Help, I'm melting!"

Before I share the video, I wanted to mention some things that stood out. These orphans said they are chosen by their attitudes. That's good to know. It sounds like the two kids we'll be hosting are helpful, nice children, according to their bios. The children in the video also mentioned that they liked the hugs from host parents. That's pretty cool. I hope our host kids think like that, because I'm pretty affectionate with my sons! Who knows?

Another thing that stood out is that they seemed to speak good English. I have no idea if our kids will even be able to speak one word of English. I get asked that question a bunch. The kids in the video have probably been in America for a long time, but it is nice to see how quickly they have learned English. One child didn't even seem to have an accent! I am really nervous about our ride home from the Houston airport that first day. I have read that it is the most awkward time of the hosting experience.

Jared yesterday

So, here's the video. I've never heard of the hosting organization that posted this. There are a number of hosting organizations, but this is not the one we're using. One of the kids in this video looks very similar to the boy we are hosting. Actually, my son got a haircut yesterday and he looks similar to many of these Eastern European orphans I've been seeing lately. I was staring at Jared's nose today, thinking that the orphans we are hosting have the exact same nose! Is this from lack of sleep or is there something to it? I guess we'll have to see in 8 weeks!

 For he has absolutely no knowledge what will happen, since who can declare to him when it will come about? Ecclesiastes 8:7