Brad and Angelina part II and Bubblemania…….

Sherri and I are starting to understand how Brad and Angelina must feel when they travel to adopt a child. Yesterday after swimming in the afternoon, we returned to the orphanage within an hour and the first lady we saw, the younger doctor, asked if we enjoyed our trip to the pool. When we went to the track this morning, the boys from yesterday remembered us and again laughed heartily after calling us by name. Then, still at the track the toothless little old man tried to get us to come in and watch the boys play basketball. The boys asked Sherri if I played basketball, where would they get an idea like that, but Sherri tried to communicate that I only ran. Somehow they figured out the word champion and Sherri kindly nodded yes. It would seem that we are making quite the impression here in the small town of Arkalyk.

In the afternoon when we visit with Jacob, it is outside playtime for most of the kids. We always ask if we can go outside with Jacob and usually this is OK. To protect him from the frigid mid 70’s and sunny weather, the caregivers wrap him in at least 2 heavy layers that include very worn wool socks and a funny shaped stocking cap pulled down snugly. He doesn’t seem to mind and what would he do if he did. We wander around the little garden for a while and are always drawn to the yards where the kids are playing. They seem to like the extra attention and Jacob is entertained as well. Yesterday we brought a very small duck shaped container of bubbles and blew them into the yards where the kids were playing. They were wildly entertained by this so today we brought the good stuff. In the yard with the smaller kids we blew bubbles over the fence. Each breath of the soapy balls is greeted with wild squeals and much running around. The smaller kids had to go in after a short while and we were in no hurry, what would we hurry to, so we took the bubbles over to the big kids yard. Blowing bubbles over the fence elicited an even more energized reaction from these kids but the breeze was blowing back against us so the crowding resulted in a few smashed faces against the fence. This would not do so the caregivers invited us into the lion’s den. We spent the next 20 minutes or so blowing bubbles across the small sea of unbridled enthusiasm. Every new batch of bubbles was again met with coordinated squeals of excitement as they chased them around the yard. As soon as the batch was gone they would circle back quickly looking for another bubble fix. Being inside the fence also allowed us to be fully mauled by all 15 kids at the same time. Sherri took the big step of picking one of them up and then the gloves were off for the kids. Bubbles, upside down with Sherri, running between Tim’s legs, tackling each other to get to the next bubble shot, it was out of control and unbridled glee for all. The caregivers seemed to enjoy this almost as much as the kids in that they could take a break from chasing kids and pulling them down from the fence.

The fun was finally over after non-stop bubble production and no let up in sight for the fervor. But when there are 50 kids in the house the schedule must be maintained. There are so many beautiful kids here craving for affection that a session like this is as sad as it is fun. As much fun as it is for the moment you also know that there are only a few of these kids with dirty faces, bad haircuts and odd clothes that will end up in loving healthy homes. This little girl latched on to Sherri like she was grasping for a life vest in the water. It is a good thing that the rules prohibit us from taking more than one at a time because we were both ready to pack up about 5 of them and head for home. But with a thousand more orphanages in a hundred other countries there is only so much that can be done. So we will make a difference for Jacob and JC and believe we have done what we can.

Before we sign off, we want to wish Mago and Papa (Tim’s parents) a happy 60th wedding anniversary. I hope you both know we would only miss the party for a life and death situation. Thankfully it is a life situation. We hope you enjoy the party and please know you have been and continue to be an inspiration to so many. We love you very much.

Until next time.
Tim and Sherri