From the Field – November 2018

Romania

In our broken world we see children abandoned, orphaned and living in unfit conditions. And, in our heart, we know that this is not how God designed us to live. He designed us to grow up in a family—being loved, cared for and discipled. For 17 years now, we have been watching children grow up in Ana’s House reaping the benefits of being part of a family instead of living in a Romanian orphanage. For 9 years, other children have been growing up in one of our five foster families. We praise God for these homes and that these children get the opportunity to grow up in such warm, loving environments!

The following pictures show various family events over the past few months. These could be from anyone’s family album…and that’s just the way it should be!

Kenya

There’s never a dull moment at Spring Valley or HOREC! Kids have been making their final push to the end of the school year, which ended the last week of October. Class 8 students studied hard for their KPCE exams that will determine if they can go on to high school (results expected in December). Here are some snapshots of other things happening with our kids in Kenya…

India

Play is crucial in every child’s life. When deprived of play, children can experience long-term effects on their development. Research shows that children without adequate play have 20% to 30% less brain volume than those with normative play experiences. Additionally, children deprived from play have difficulty with self-regulation and often exhibit defiant behaviors. Global Hope believes every child should grow up in an environment where they can flourish AND play. And that’s exactly what they’re doing in the Global Hope homes in India!

One game that the children love to play is called Kho Kho. It is a type of tag played with two teams. They start in a field with a pole or marker on each end. Each team has 9 players and alternate between being the “chasing” team and the “defending” team.

The game begins with 8 players from the “chasing” team lining up in a row in the center of the field, alternating facing opposite directions. The 9^thplayer is the “chaser” and stands by the pole. Then, 3 players from

the “defending” team come on the field and the “chaser” must try to tag them. The “defenders” are allowed to cross between the players in the center of the field, but the “chaser” is not! The “chaser” is only allowed to run in one direction on one side of the field until he rounds the pole at the end of the field. But, the “chaser” may tag any of his teammates and yell “Kho” to switch places with them, allowing them to become the “chaser.” When they’re tagged they run onto the field in the direction they are facing. (“Kho” has a meaning equivalent to “get up go.”)

Once the 3 “defenders” are tagged, 3 new “defenders” come out on the field and the chase begins again. The game ends when all 9 “defenders” have been captured. Then the teams reverse roles (“chasers” become “defenders” and vice versa). The team that captures their opponents the fastest wins.