Rafael and I go way back.  In January 2006 I visited CSC and that is when I first met Rafael.  He hung on my leg and sat on my lap.  He was cute, silly, funny, and he knew it.  At that time he was four and a half years old.  Now Rafael is seven and a half.  He still is cute, silly, funny, and he still knows it.  In addition now, he is growing up.  He is no longer the youngest boy in Eicher House.  Being in Level A has helped him to realize it can be fun to be a little older.  He is taking on more responsibility and liking it.

Rafael showed his maturity Sunday night.  Paula, a ten year old girl in Cherne House, was scheduled for surgery Monday morning.  Many of the children wanted to write her letters of encouragement especially when they heard I was going to visit her at the hospital that night.  There was a mad scramble for the paper and pencils.  Over the next hour the children came through in fine style for Paula.  This is where Rafael enters.  In addition to having the children writing letters I was putting them to bed.  Rafael took on the role of letter collector.  Without being asked he picked up my folder and walked around making sure that no letter of encouragement was forgotten.  He dutifully put the completed ones in the front pocket of my folder for easy access.  If another child had a question or needed help, Rafael would come find me.  When 7:45 rolled around my folder was bulging with prayers and positive thoughts.  I gathered the children who were still awake and we asked God to be with Paula and the doctors during the surgery the next morning.  I then hustled out the door, down the hill and to the hospital barely making it before visiting hours ended at 8:00.  The letters in the front pocket of my folder put a huge smile on Paula's face.  [Quick aside which is too good to deprive you of:  The children usually end their letters with "God Bless You."  Jenive ended her letter to Paula with "God Bless Your Kidney."]

Paula's surgery went well.  She will spend a couple more days in the hospital recovering.

Thanks to all the children who took the time to let Paula know how much they care for her.  Thanks to Rafael to overseeing the gathering of all the letters. 

Christine has surprised everyone with her transformation this past year.  She arrived at CSC with her little sister Ge An in January 2008.  This was just before her eighth birthday.  When Christine first came, she was extremely shy.  It was several months before she initiated a "high 5" with me.  Slowly Christine has allowed people to get close.  Now in most settings she is one of the more talkative kids.  In one week she will celebrate her ninth birthday.

Yesterday Christine was writing a reply letter to her Foster Friend.  She wrote a nice letter and took her time drawing a good picture, which she usually rushes through.  When she finished I walked down to with her from the school to the shelter.  As we exited the school gate she reached for my hand.  We walked we talked about her first year at CSC and I asked her, "What is your favorite thing at CSC?"  She did not say Christmas, special activities with work team, school, attention from staff, or all the food.  In a tone full of thoughtfulness and at the same time happiness, Christine said the friends she had made at CSC were her favorite.  She said she had so much fun playing with all her friends whether in her room, their room, or outside.  It does not matter what they do together, because they will have fun.

Christine has grown in so many ways this past year.  She likes to ask questions.  She likes to joke around.  She likes to share her knowledge of things she has learned in school.  She likes to have a handle on things.  She is still figuring out life, but she is on her way.  Christine has gone from beyond shy to a little leader in her own way.