The Mongolian Grassland Expedition

If you asked me what I thought I might do on this trip, I would never have answered "Load a bus with kids, drive 1 1/2 hours over the mountains, ride a Mongolian horse for an hour on a basically metal saddle, drink milk tea, ride back on the horse at a very fast and painful trot with my backpack on my back, eat toasted sheep (not really me) and then watch Mongolian men wrestle for "game." But, nothing about this trip has been about MY expectations, so that is precisely what I did today. About 12 of the children came with us....one was from foster care, several were school children from the orphanage that we have not met before, and about 3 were boys we have had interactions with this week. Although it was hard to pull up in that big yellow bus with all of the other children waving at us, there was a reason we went on this trip today. Under no other circumstances could we have observed the tender interactions between younger and older children, or learned as much detail about some of the older ones, or had a chance to develop a special "bond" to a child. The kids on the trip were THRILLED beyond belief....one little boy in my pictures never quit looking out of the window. I suspect he has not left the gates of the orphanage very much, and he took in EVERYTHING. Their eyes were dancing when they saw the horses, and they had no fear. Faster, faster they would say as we prayed slower, slower. Apparently Americans feel more pain on Mongolian horses! We were with the kids the entire day, and I loved watching them. At lunch, they ate until their stomachs were full and then they ate some more! The older boys on the trip were so watchful and protective of the little ones, helping them with their tea, and food, and playing games with them. Lily asked the little one in foster care if he would like to be adopted internationally, and he said no, I love him, pointing to one of the older boys. Again, we learned how we are handicapped. We feel sad for them, while some boys have their own self-made Family that they love. They are happy there because that is what they know and are comfortable with. My heart still aches for them, even though they love each other which is a blessing, I fear of what happens next? What happens when these protective older ones move on to school/university or jobs? Where does that leave the little ones? There is no permancy, no guarantee. Several of the boys were about the same age as my 2 older ones, and it was really hard for me to think long term for those children. I watched as one of the boys adamantly saved the seat on the bus home for Claire, whom he had sat next to on the way there. No one else would do. He held on to her arm almost the whole way home. What next for him?
One of the spunky boys we have played with everyday sat by Shannon coming and going. The boys all received a photo of them riding on their horse--talk about a treasure. This precious little one rode home, again looking out the window, but holding his picture so those outside could see. His greatest treasure he was willing to share with others! His love for us was evident---he kept rearranging the air so it would blow on each of us for a few minutes. Caring, sharing, loving, generous....and what does he have of his own? Not much...what happens next for him?
Tonight, I know those boys will have incredible dreams...of wild horses, cowboys, wind blowing. I pray they will feel love, warmth, and the very special hope I have for them.
Tomorrow, I cannot wait to go back to the orphanage and play with ALL the kids---and see their sweet smiles when we pull up!!!

Love,

Eve