As I visited Beulah Home for the fourth time in the past few years, I again realized how privileged I am to get to know the kids at this children's home at a deeper level. This is what motivates me to return to India year after year: I believe these kids need to see volunteer visitors more than once in their lifetime. Obviously it isn't always possible for volunteers to make return visits, but when it is, a lot can happen including relationships taking root and the kids recognizing others are willing to sacrifice for them.
The kids at the Home experience so many volunteers coming in and out of their lives that I am amazed they remember most all of them. In fact, often they will ask where a person is who visited them years ago, remembering not only their name but detailed memories! And it is difficult to tell the kids that I don't know where they are or why they don't come back.
Not only do the kids value consistent time with us, but it is prime opportunity to be part of a long-term solution. Don't get me wrong, short-term visits are wonderful to give the aunties (those who take care of the kids throughout the year) a break and put the kids at the center of our attention. But whenever possible, it's so important for volunteers to invest in the kids, show them we're in it for the long-haul, and figure ways we can help them throughout the year.
One of the obvious benefits of return visits is that you don't have to get to know the kids and workers from scratch but have memories to build upon. Some of these memories are profound and spiritual, such as times of sharing and prayer when we encourage one another to look to the Lord and trust Him despite the circumstances. And then there are moments when we just participate in life at the Home and enjoy times of laughter as I experienced again on this trip...
I will not forget when 8 year old Aliba sat in our ESL class not knowing the answer to a question on a handout and he wrote, "Go to Jeme"... hey, why not go to the one who would know? =) Or having monkeys eye us as Ginny and I ate lunch on the upstairs patio or the kids showing us the various fruit trees on the property or the youngest of kids trying to keep up with the older kids playing relay games involving a volleyball.
One day the boys were particularly interested in my stubble when I didn’t shave and curious how and when I shave. Nothing like an object lesson, so I brought out my shaving cream and razor (without blade of course). Aliba jumped as I squirted shaving cream in my hand and, after calming his nerves, we proceeded with the lesson. Using pencils, fingers and suckers from their Christmas grab-bag, the boys practiced shaving for the first time!
Needless to say, there is never a dull moment at the Beulah Home and kids and volunteers become thankful for each one.
If you're interested in reading more on my time at Beulah Home, please check out a
video and write-ups under
April and
December 2009. And if you're interested in being involved personally, either through visits or activities such as our
Yard Sale Fundraiser, please let me know via the contact info listed on this blog.
