The Father's Heart

For the past month, we have been in New Hope's Institute for Childcare and Family. We have class for 4 hours each day, Monday through Friday. Even though it is sometimes difficult to focus in class as we think about what is going on down at the camp, we are learning a lot in class. This past week, we were discussing the heart of orphans, and the heart of God. As we studied the Word of God in class, we were amazed to see how much God talks about the fatherless (mostly in the OT). It was very exciting to see a bit more of the heart of God in the way He loves and watches over those who have been left alone in this world.

While we are at the Institute, we have been assigned to spend time with one of the family groups here at the Kasana Children's Center. The family group that we are now part of has about 20 children in it, and we have greatly enjoyed becoming part of the family. Our time with them consists of working in the gardens, playing games together, helping with homework, having family devotions, and sharing meals together. Many of the children also regularly stop by our house to visit. In addition to just getting to know one another, Nathan has had fun helping some of the kids fix their bikes, and Kendra has had the opportunity to share some of her cooking experience with some of the family daughters.

As we have gotten to know the children at the same time that we have been learning about the Father's heart for orphans, we have developed a deep love and passion ourselves for the children here at New Hope. As some of the children in our family group have shared their stories with us, we have been overwhelmed by the stories of what they have been through, and the Lord has confirmed to us more and more each day that we are serving Him where He wants us.

Despite the heartache, loneliness, and feeling of rejection that the kids here have experienced, there is also a joy that comes from knowing that they have a heavenly Father who has chosen to adopt those who turn to Him. Realizing that we too have been adopted into the same family as

well is also very exciting.

Here are some pictures of some of the kids that we have fallen in love with: