RPTE: the orphanage

Follow me on Twitter / Be my friend on Facebook

Real fast, I posted this on Christmas day, so if you missed it be sure to see the teaser to the RPTE 2009 trip. I’m getting SO excited about the the next one!!!

———-

I love visiting orphanages. At least well run orphanages. One of our last days in Cambodia, we all visited an orphanage that Lindsay and I had been to before. To our pleasant surprise, they had moved from a bamboo hut in the jungle to a real building in the city! Not to mention that they were about doubled in size! This is great since it’s a great orphanage.

One of the reasons I wanted to take everyone to the orphanage was for perspective. It’s such a normal part of life for so many of us — being raised by parents — that it becomes quite easy to forget how great a gift it is to have parents as children. Not only that, but seeing an orphan without parents living life happily (in very conditions) sure is a smack in the face when you’re complaining about your cell phone bill or your car needing new tires.

Visiting an orphanage can be a very emotional event. The temptation for many can be that you feel guilty for going just for a day — almost like you’re using the kids to make yourself feel good. I’m too big of a pragmatist for this. As a group, I’m guessing we left enough money for food for the kids for an entire month. That’s a net gain, in my opinion. As a group, we danced an entire night away with these kids — all of them smiling, laughing, and wrestling their little hearts out. That’s a net gain, again, in my opinion.

So we weren’t miracle workers, I know that. But we got perspective on life, the orphanage got much needed money, and the kids got a fun night of playing. These are all better than not going because you feel bad about not being able to be a bigger help. I’d rather help a little than not at all. It was such a great evening :)

I love this image because as it was happening, there were other kids performing on stage. He was supposed to be quiet — paying attention, I assume — but instead he’s making funny faces with me. I’m kind of a bad influence, huh? :P

One thing I love about visiting orphanages is that no matter how long or short your visit, there’s almost always one kid that becomes your shadow. Here’s Katie with her shadow :)

Megan with her shadow.

Richelle with her’s.

Lindsay grabbed the following ones of me with the kids. Being in the middle of a ton of happy orphans — just yelling for no reason — is honestly a little slice of heaven!

Don’t challenge like 7 Cambodian orphan boys to a wrestling match. Especially when you’re in the hot rain forest! That’s what’s happening in these…

I eventually lost.

Josh was the next victim.

And a HUGE thanks to Richelle for getting this photo. I freaking love it!

Bobby

Contact Bobby / View Wedding Portfolio / Travel the Globe with Bobby