SOS - Save our Sanity

Today we began the first of our biweekly volunteering at the local orphanage called SOS. For the first week, my teammate Ku and I had been selected as the group leaders. We were in charge of facilitating and planning out the sequence of games for the two hour slot that we would fill. We had planned for a big vacant room that would be effective for large group games. When we arrived, we were told that the kids would not be able to arrive until an hour and a half later and that we could only use a small 12x20 room that was full of tables and chairs. Needless to say, we had to rethink our approach.

Sure enough, the kids started filing into the room shortly after to beneficially give us no time to change plans. We all looked at each other a bit confused on how we would adjust to fill such a large chuck of time. We began the time with a classic hymn, "Father Abraham." It could have been the most awkward version of the song I have ever taken apart of, as the kids refused to participate in the song. And rather than having 15-20 kids as expected, nearly 65 kids showed up to add  to the chaos.

Luckily, we brought in one translator who could say something beyond "what is your name." Then we moved to the outside pavilion for the duration of the time. It was a large area but was built in four 15 X 50 foot sections so playing large group games was still a big challenge. While explaining games like red light, green light was already difficult in another language, a group home of girls was also on site distracting the kids. It was seriously a zoo, with the young guys drooling over the American girls and the troubled youth women grabbing at the young boys. Upon the first command of RED LIGHT, all the kids ran all the way to the end and in unison, yelled "I win!" 

At one point, my roommate Tim witnessed a girl full on round-house kick another little boy after he ran to steal bacon when it was her number. He learned quickly. Well Tim actually stepped in became the father figure that many of these kids have never had. I foresee this time being fruitful and a good opportunity to model discipline and love to these kids. It could also open up doors for the Life Center and give another opportunity to establish itself in the city.