crazy girl

This is the adorable wild child that I have committed to pray for, support, and be like "extended family" to for I guess the rest of my life! :)

my crazy girl & some of the sisters in her home

My crazy girl has a spirit of joy about her- personality just exudes from every inch of her being. She loves to laugh and dance all around- you can usually find her swinging someone's arms around or in the pool jumping off someone's shoulders. She is loud and crazy when she warms up to you. Her HOL mom says that her personality tends to get her in trouble.. she can be bossy or pushy with her sisters when she wants to be. When she came to her home, she got in trouble all the time and even got into fights at school. She came from a poor tribal village where her mother had died and her father had nothing. Now she has 2 parents  and 7 sisters that love her and provide for her  and she knows Jesus.

all the girls in her home and their mom

When I decided that I wanted to become an extended family member to one of the HOL children, I was able to choose from a few that needed a family member because I know them all. I love that I got to pick my crazy girl, because one day I can look at her and say "I chose you.. out of all the others, I chose you to be mine.. just like Jesus did."

saying goodbye

On the last day of camp, saying goodbyes is always emotional and sad for both our American team and for the HOL kids. When I said goodbye to my crazy girl, I held her precious face in my hands and said "I love you because you are my family. I'll pray for you and think of you every day.. and I'll be right back here next year to see you again." Isn't God SO good that I get to be a real part of her life? That I get to know her and sit in her house and hold her every year? I couldn't be more grateful for that gift and for the way He has restored joy inside of this crazy girl.