Magdala and Mereny

     Two and a half weeks ago when we arrived, Kayal took us to visit a homeless shelter in Cabaret. This homeless shelter was basically an abandoned place with walls and a roof. We walked in and it was very dark and hot. Because it was market day, not many people were there but a lady with two girls were there. One little girl caught all of our eyes. She had on only a shirt and we could see burn marks/scars on her legs. We came back and told Esther about the younger girl and we ended going back to see them. We found out that this little girl is 2 years old and her father is blind and her mother passed away. The other girl says she is 12. Esther told us she is most likely a restavek and is the main caregiver for the little girl; they are cousins. Esther wanted the 2 year old to come to the orphanage and after talking to her dad he said he would allow it. This was two weeks ago. She wanted to wait for a couple days to make sure that the dad was ok with it so we let the weekend pass and Kayla went back on Monday. The dad was willing to send her and then last minute changed his mind. So, we left her there with him and Kayla went back a few times after.
      A week later the father sent a women to come and check out the orphanage and see if it was ok for the little girl. So, Wednesday we welcomed in the 2 year old and her cousin (aka, caregiver). They went to Kayla's house for their first real shower and were given some clothes and sandals. After that they came to Tytoo to play with the kids. Esther also assessed them and we found out the 12 year old has never gone to school and does not know Jesus. We got to play with them in the afternoon and we went to night time devotions.After devotions we came upstairs because Esther wanted the girls to sleep near her so she could keep an eye on the 2 year old. We got them ready for bed and they looked through their new bag of clothes to find some pj's and they were super excited. We had to teach Magdala how to brush her teeth because she didn't know how...as well as use the toilet =)
     It was an exciting evening filled with new beginnings and new life for these little girls. It is going to be hard saying goodbye tomorrow as we head home.
Lindsay and Allison