Portraits

Francis

The kids were super excited to get started on learning how to draw the face.  I began this lesson by talking about various facial expressions and how the features of our face change depending on the particular emotion we were trying to convey.  I had the kids take turns coming up front to make certain facial expressions like happy, sad, angry, or surprised and then had the other kids guess the emotion.  The kids loved making different faces for the different emotions, and I told them they would have the opportunity to choose the facial expression they would like to draw on their portrait.  I had purchased a few mirrors for the kids to share as we started to draw the particular details of the eyes, nose, mouth, ears, and hair.  They enjoyed looking into the mirrors and making different facial expressions to draw.  And most of them just liked looking in the mirror and observing their own unique features!

Christian

Benjamin

We took a couple weeks just practicing how to draw the human face with the correct proportions so they could become familiar with the process.  Then, after much practice we began the final portrait.  I also encouraged them to practice on their own because I explained how it takes practice to capture a person’s likeness.  The kids were particularly interested in the process of laying out the correct proportions of the face, and we did it step by step together each time.  

Caesar

As you can see from Caesar’s portrait, he chose a very suiting facial expression that matches his personality!  He is one funny guy who likes to make others laugh so his funny face seems fitting for his portrait!

Caesar getting creative with taking a picture of his artwork.

Gershon

Godisking

Joel

A Small Package of Biscuits and a Juice Box

Abigail

The Lord has been teaching me more and more about looking for Him and listening for His voice in the day-to-day routine of life here.  I know He is always present and wanting to speak to me.  I just have to be in tune to what He is saying and listening.  I must admit that sometimes I get so caught up in the chaos and constant noise living here with 50 children and taking care of all their needs that I completely miss or even discount the Lord’s soft whisper of refreshment for my soul.  I long to hear from the Lord daily, and I look to Him constantly for His perfect peace and rest realizing how much I need Him each day.  But it is so easy to go through the day and be so consumed or distracted by the circumstances all around you that you become distressed by the constant uncertainty of life. 

Abigail's hand with mine...I love this sweet girl so much!!!

Well, that was exactly how my week went and by the weekend I was completely drained with nothing left to give.  Until, the Lord refreshed my perspective and showed me what I had missed or discounted so quickly during that hectic week as His precious care and encouragement.  Something as small as a package of biscuits and a juice box were the messengers of love and encouragement that I received from 2 precious little girls, Abigail (age 9) and Comfort (age 11).  But behind those gifts of biscuits and a juice box was a special love richly demonstrated through giving hearts. 

Comfort

You have to understand how much the kids’ snacks mean to them for school on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.  We give them biscuits and juice on Monday and 50 pesewas (less than 50 cents) on the other 2 days for them to buy a snack of their choice at school.  And they LOVE their snacks because if there isn’t school or if they are home sick, they do not want to miss out.  So last week, Abigail came home from school with a surprise for me.  She had bought me a package of biscuits with her 50 pesewas.  Then Comfort gave me one of her juice boxes that she had been saving from her Monday snack.  Both girls sacrificed their joy and love of snacks to show their love for me.  And that was God’s voice saying to me, “You are loved!” 

God has spoken to me many times through the little day-to-day things, and my prayer is that I would continue to have ears to listen to His voice and a heart open to receive these little daily blessings.  So thankful for these beautiful children!