I can keep a beat. But that's about it. Last night a big group of Mercy Ship crew went to Gardens of Guinea, a restaurant with live music. The music was definitely African. It's times like these when I wish I could really dance. But not just jumping up and down like we do in the States. I want to ballroom dance, or salsa, or be able to move more than just from side to side. This is my pity party about dancing.

On Thursday I had the morning off, giving me the opportunity to go on a trip to a local orphanage. Lazare's Orphanage is run by a man from Guinea (Lazare) and is a home for children ranging from infant to grade school in age. I didn't know what to expect, but looking back on it, I'm not sure there's anything that can prepare you for it. After an hour drive through the crowed streets of Conakry (it takes at least an hour to get out of the city) we turned into a narrow street, which was extremely bumpy. Then we came to a gate leading into a small courtyard. Two, maybe three, two story houses made up the orphanage. But what catches your immediate attention are the little hands that latch themselves onto you the moment you step out of the car. There were only about ten children, all under the age of three, while the older children were at school. For the hour and a half we were there the kids just wanted to be held by you or maybe play with a few toys. These children have nothing. One cannot walk, so we brought a walker to help her practice. She will hopefully be walking by the end of the Guinea field service. It is wonderful to be wanted so much, but it's heartbreaking at the same time. It is very unsatisfying to be so limited in showing love to these children. I'm trying to to remember that God loves them infinitely more than I ever could.