Bill and Betty Bryant Center (03/08/08)

This morning, Kerri, the kids & I took a taxi to a nearby orphanage—The Bill & Betty Bryant Center. This particular orphanage is home to toddlers anywhere from1 to 5 years old. The house, which is about 1100 square feet, is a little over a mile from our house. It’s tucked in a small community kind of off the beaten path. It has a living room, kitchen, a room for schooling, and two bedrooms—one for the boys and one for the girls—each filled with bunk beds. When we got there, the housemother, Grace, invited us in. 

When we walked into the living room, the house seemed rather quiet. I don’t know where the children were at the time, but a few minutes later, all 11 children funneled in to greet us and the noise level picked up. When they came into the room, most of them were shy and initially tended to keep their distance by staying on the other side of the room. But there was one brave little girl named Lydia, who made her way across the room. In fact, it didn’t take long for her to muster the courage to climb up into my lap. She was such a cute and quiet little girl. She just sat there in my lap as we spoke to the housemother about all of the children and the orphanage in general. 

As we were talking the other children began to warm up to us being there. Caleb and Gracyn took some of them outside to play with a soccer ball. Once the other kids saw them playing, they all poured out into the driveway to join in, all but Lydia who wouldn’t let me put her down. Kerri and I sat for a few more minutes talking with the housemother and then we joined the fun outside. As the time passed, it was neat to see how each of the children started warming up to Caleb and Gracyn. And it was neat to watch how Caleb and Gracyn reacted to the children. 

After a little more time of playing, it was time for the children of the Bryant Center to eat lunch and it was time for us to leave. So, we said our goodbyes and headed out. We plan on visiting again next Saturday.