Doris and Jonny

Doris

Jonny
Jonny on the bike

Casa de Esperanza has two new kids, Doris and Jonny. Doris came home with Karen the day the five brothers left. Jonny got here on Thursday night, June 5.

Doris is twelve, a bit older than we normally take. She has lived in abject poverty. She has never been to school. We thought she could not talk, but soon found out she can say quite a few words and understands almost everything. She did not know how to eat with a fork. When her food is put before her, she digs right in. With her hands. There are so many basic things she does not know how to do. She has a beautiful smile with near perfect teeth, which is unusual since she probably has never seen a dentist. Most of the time, her laugh rings across the playground. Other times it is just a guttural noise. Already, she is making amazing progress here. While she is twelve, she has never experienced anything and is still a little girl in many ways. She does not like her picture made. I had to use the zoom lens and shoot when she could not see the camera. Doris is so sweet.

Jonny is seven years old and was found begging for food on the streets. It is hard to imagine a seven year old on the streets. He came Thursday night and had a head full of curly hair. Those beautiful curls had to be shaved since they were lice infested. Thursday, he would only go to Dorian. Saturday, the first white person he hugged was Nicole. Sure made Nicole's day. He is warming up to all of us. He had never been on a swing or a bicycle. Today, he taught himself to ride a bike. He did not want help from anyone and was determined to master this, which he did. He worked diligently all day on that bicycle. He is so cute. When I look at him, I just want to give him another hug. I am sure he needs many hugs.

Please pray for Doris and Jonny as they begin a new life filled with love, warmth, food and clothes.

Terri