Too often when we see photos of Africa they are of sad, desperate looking people. The intention of these images is to stir up compassion and cause the viewer to act of their behalf, but too often I believe these images cause us to shut down. We aren’t able to identify with the people in the images. These images cause us to forget the similarities we have with the people in the photos. It focuses only on the differences. The children I met at Noel are just like your children. They sing Justin Bieber songs, play ring-around-the-rosy, and know how to work a digital camera. They need love, attention and opportunity. Circumstances beyond their control have left them with fewer opportunities, but not without hope. I absolutely fell in love with the children from Noel. From the moment you step off the bus, they want to hold your hand, know your name, where you come from and how long you will stay. They are beautiful. They are joyful. They are real. They are children loved by our Heavenly Father.
-Jenn
Being in the toddler room was my favorite time on the whole trip. Everyone else was outside playing. It was just me, my two sweet girls, Alain, one nanny and 30-40 toddlers. Oh and Clementine was sleeping on my back. I was there to take photos of them with their cars. All 30-40 children sat in perfect little rows. They sang several songs to me. The nanny had them repeat “Thank you” and “I love you” in unison to me. I wanted to stay there forever. I crouched down to play with them. Each child was patiently waited for their turn for me to run the car over their head saying, “Vroooooom…Beep Beeeeeeeep!” There are so many children, I couldn’t even get to them all.
by Jenn
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