Our visit to the park on Friday.

The days are so nice here. The weather is in the 70s and there is a nice breeze. We had slept in and decided to head to the park for awhile to pass some time. As we arrived to the playground, three young boys ran up to us, well, really Aleks. The four of them started talking really fast and seemed to be lost in their own little world. Kevin and I stood watching as we were slowly figuring out who the little guys were. In a few seconds, Aleks stopped, looked at us and said, these are my friends. As we looked at each other, their eyes eagerly waited to be introduced to us. Aleks did just that and one by one they held out their hand to meet  Kevin and I. Then turned talking to each other again in Latvian. They were letting Aleks know that other friends were in the park too. And we headed out to find them.

Once they were together, Kevin took them to the race carts and they each received a car of their own to drive. I don’t think they have ever had that luxury. They have had to share everything. So off they raced all around the park….in and out of people, bikes, up and down the walkways and down a big hill. They played hard for an hour.

As I sat with Liga, the orphanage caregiver, we laughed and watched. She could not speak any English, so we did a lot of signing to each other and used my dictionary as much as possible. But I was able to ask her about her job. She said it was not a hard job when you love children. I told her I understood that and I too work with children and agreed with her. It was then she had a tears in her eyes. She only said, “Loca”, Aleks’ name in Russian. And we both cried together. She will miss him.

It was quiet again, and then Santa, a former caregiver at the orphanage walked up to us. (I know that God did that for me that day) She and Liga started talking and Santa became our translator. The three of us chatted about the boys, Aleks and how they would miss him. Kevin had been with the boys, but came up to meet Santa before she had to leave. The four of us talked a little about America and Latvia. The visit with them was moving to me. The job they have is something we are not exposed to. But the passion is the same. To reach the children.

We walked out of the park together and headed down the walkway. Aleks stopped at a corner store and bought everyone an ice cream with his money, said our good byes…they headed to the bus stop and we headed to the apartment. The day was a good one…