Babysitting at the Orphanage (13/7/16)

Today was our relax day, so it was a slightly less early rise so we could get to the orphanage for 8:30.

When we arrived, there were lots of people outside, painting the fences and covered seating areas with animals. We later found out they were a Korean Catholic charity.

We went inside to be greeted by lots of little smiling faces. It was the morning, so the white drawing box came out, and the children scribbled over some images meant for colouring in.

After a while, their entertainment changed. Some children were hoarding the colouring pencils, pencils that another child wanted for their own stash. This meant a few fights broke out and there were lots of tears. Even if you give them a pencil exactly the same, it’s not good enough…

To take their minds of the ownership of colouring pencils, Philippa brought out a bubble machine! The children were absolutely fixated on it and after a while, they all got the hang of popping the bubbles, apart from one child that just could not work out what this magic machine was…

After many attempts at sticking their fingers in the machine, we decided it was time to put it away. We did a bit more colouring and running around before lunch.

After lunch, we said took some photos, said good bye and left them to their afternoon nap.

We had a quick shower and went out for lunch, before a relax back at the hotel.

At 3:30 pm, we met Garrett and headed to the Blue Pumpkin for some ice cream and good air conditioning. We discussed teaching plans for the next day and explained to Garrett some of what we had been up to.

We then went to the market, where we did some shopping and Chloe, Hannah and I had henna patterns on our hands.

We headed back to the presbytery, where Ellie and I made burgers for the BBQ.

We the had a delicious meal and a nice evening with everyone there and many of the staff in the parish too.

Later, the karaoke machine came out and we all had a good laugh singing and dancing. We moved into he church where we had a quiet time of reflection with incense sticks and some music.

We went back to the hotel feeling very full and exhausted, but sad as it was our last proper night with Fr Mark, Marlene, Hannah and Anne.