Rainbow House of Hope

Today we spent more time at the Rainbow House of Hope. The children run to us whenever we come and start hugging and touching us. I had a two dollar makeup kit with me and I put make-up on the girls and boys. The boys got warrior make-up. My mom did finger nail polish and it was so fun because the kids gathered around us and acted like it was all the most exciting thing they had ever done. The children were very ragged and most of them were dirty with ripped clothing, yet with all they go through they are still the happiest kids I have ever seen. We found out that some of the kids that we really took a liking to are not going to school because their family does not have enough money. Their father is an alcholic and tried to kill their mother, now he is not around. Holly gave some money to the director and asked him to buy Angela, an aids orphan a new dress. Timothy, the director, whispered into Angela's ear that she was going to get a new dress and she fell to her knees and grabbed Holly's hand and said thank you. Some of the kids clothes were so bad today and I had an extra very large t-shirt and I gave it to Timothy and said pick someone who needs this the most. The sad thing is, they all looked like they needed it and I didn't have enough. Another cool thing today was when I was in a market the bagger asked where I was from and I said Salt Lake City, Utah and he said have you heard of my church? The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I said, I'm a member and we hugged. It was so cool. I was also impressed because I gave the cashier way to much money and he told me it was too much, so I had been thanking him for being honest. When I found out he was a church member I was so proud of him! Tomorrow we are going to church. I think Holly and I are going to sing. Momar Khadaffi is coming into town and so things are really crazy in the city. The are "cleaning"it, if that's what you call it. This is the dirtiest place I have ever been. The pollution is horrendous. We also ran into some mormon missionaries the other day. It was a couple and I was so excited to see them so I ran up and hugged the women. You feel so different here. Everyone looks at you either in a funny way or they smile and shout Mazoongu. The kids are so amazed by how different we are. You feel so very dirty when you are done spending time with them because they touch you everywhere. It's worth it though. I've never felt so overwhelmed, sad, and happy at the same time.