The interview went very nice. The head nurse interviewed me, whilst giving me a tour around the facilities. She asked about my plans, as well as cruising over my strengths and weaknesses while we were walking. I was very truthful and didn't disguise my weaknesses, because I think it would be much better that way, and also, if I'm meant to be here, nothing's going to keep me away. She explained that the work at this orphanage would be very different from work that would be required of me in an orphanage in Africa, but I felt that this was where I should start, because first, I'll be working hard, and training my patience as well as picking up some nursing skills. She's a really kind and passionate woman, and she saw that I was passionate about learning how to care for children, so she actually decided to help me a bit by arranging for me to shadow one of the resident nurses for the first few days, and told me that if I make it through the first 100 hours of working there, then we can go back to deciding whether I am meant to do this work. So then.. technically, I got accepted into the orphanage as a volunteer.
Now there was a piece of bad news, since they have a shortage of rooms, I would have to stay at home, and commute to work each morning, arriving at or before 7am.
This is going to be a real challenge, because that would mean waking up at 4.30am and walking to the nearest KCR station to catch the first train from Hunghom to Sheung Shui. It'll take me 1 hour to arrive, but if I miss any of the transports in between, I'll be delayed for up to 20 mins. Then I'll work from 7am to 5pm each day, stopping only for an hour for breakfast and lunch, and an hour's break after lunch. Not to mention the need for attention to details and patience with working with disabilities that I may not be comfortable with.
This would normally be enough to break me, but it's been a few days now, and I know for sure that God's been holding my hand and keeping me on my feet this whole time, because I have not been completely overwhelmed yet, and I feel refreshed in the midst of my tireness, and I feel that I am starting to look past their disabilities and am learning to love these kids, and I am starting to feel that I can survive more than just 100 hours. God's been giving me so much support through all the other volunteers there, and the head nurse actually decided to let me skip the garden phase, where most other volunteers have to spend their first few weeks doing garden work to get used to the kids, she decided that it would be best for me to start by tailing one of the nurses and looking after the kids, as she must have prayed over me and have recognised my passion for serving children.
I do feel overwhelmed by the difficulty of working with these kids, but God is really lifting me up right now, and there is no fear for me to keep doing what I'm doing, because He is going to carry me through. I may feel squirmish at times, but it hasn't stopped me from carrying on with what needs to be done, and He's really given me strength for each task for each day. I have never had to rely on Him so much just to survive each day, and now I am just so grateful that He's there to renew me with energy, love and patience for each child for each day.
So.. dear friends, I've been working quite intensely for Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week, I'll be going back for more tomorrow straight after church, and I'll have a break on Monday. Please pray for sleep to be restful and quick when I lay down to rest, and pray for perseverance and resistance to illness during the day, and for my adaptation to the work and the children.
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