l o v e l y d a y !! =)I sure gained alot alot from my visit to the Charis Home today...Boys and girls gathered at the foyer at 8.30am before dividing ourselves into 6 cars and making our way to the Charis Home. I followed yikhin's car and boy, it sure wasn't easy trying to find the home. We spent 1 and a half hours going round and round Puchong! madness...Both of us were the last to reach as the other 20 of them was already there waiting. Was given a very short briefing before we decided to seperate ourselves into two groups. One to the boys home and another to the girls, situated opposite each other. As i set my foot into the boys home, i quickly changed my mind and decided to go to the girls home instead. I was thinking, maybe there will be little small girls with long silky black hair wanting someone to comb or tie their hair for them while they're playing with their dolls and doing their drawing. Sweet. But how wrong i was.As i made my way into the girls home with natasha, we were both greeted with smiles as the little girls there addresed us. To my horror, all of them were in the living room doing their homework on a saturday morning. Back then, Saturday morning to me is equivalent to watching cartoons time!! Gosh. Soon, the girls took out their homeworks and we were supposed to give them tuition for the subjects that they needed. Each of us then took charge of a kid, and started to tutor them. The first time as i sat beside a girl, she started asking me some upsr questions, but, all in chinese. I shot the 'helpless' look and quickly exchanged kiddo with chunchun instead, explaining to the little girl that my chinese sucks big time. I then, taught another little girl english! =p Making simple sentences. Sometimes as things gets too complicated in life, we kind of forget how to start doing easy things instead. Had a hard time trying to construct simple sentences for her, in english.After finishing an assesment paper with the little girl, i excused myself and made my way to the boys home instead. Inside, the scene was totally different. The boys was busy running around, fighting, climbing all over the place, asking questions about dinosours, and they're just so easily distracted. Boys~ However, one of the boy with stanley attracted my attention. Unlike others, there he was sitting quietly at a corner with his bible in his hands, asking stanley to explain things to him.I then made my way to the old folk's home to take a look. Over there, the helpers sure shared alot of stories with me. Sad stories. I liked the scene when i saw an old lady sitting comfortably at the sofa blasting westlife's cd tho! =p haha..Soon, i followed gajen back to the boys home as it was time for him to perform some magic for the kids! As all the boys were gathered around upstairs to watch the magic show, i was sitting downstairs feeling tired already. To my surprise, one boy was least interested. He was the boy whom i was talking about, the one who is reading his bible.His name is John, and he's fourteen years old. John initiated a conversation with me, which i guess, really left an impact on me. I think that it is because of John, that i felt that this whole visit to the Charis Home is all worth it. And im sure glad to have met him. John isn't exactly a down syndrome kid, but lets just say that he's a little slower being compared to the rest. As John was talking to me, telling me some stories, one little boy ran towards me and asked me not to talk to John as he's retarded. I was shocked, and honestly, i didn't know what was the best reaction to give at that moment. Instead, John looked at me and said ''Nevermind. I will pray for him.'' I stared at John, as I felt really really touched that moment. And John said, ''Who disturb me, I will pray for them.'' How i really felt like hugging John that moment.As we both were enganged into some deep conversation, two little boys ran over again and started teasing John. Being a normal person, who is supposed to be able to control her own emotions, i almost failed to do so and i asked the two small kids to stop saying what they're saying. But John, he remained composed as he stared straight and said ''I will pray for them.'' Honestly, i am very taken aback by John. As he was telling me about temptations and he will not give in to that. I asked for an example. He said, ''If someone tease or hit me, i wont hit back.'' I became teary eyed. As the ''warden'' of the home came in and checked on the kids, she scolded John for reading the bible instead of his books. And soon, John kept his bible and took out some notes just to stare at it. Stanley tried explaining to the lady, that all John wanted to do is good, but he keeps getting discouraged. Sadly, the lady doesnt understand and insisted that she's right. To my horror, she even starts teasing and telling stanley how low John's IQ is, all right in front of John. I was terribly upset about everything, but there's nothing that i can do. As John was telling me all about how much he wanted to attend a church's bible camp, the lady suddenly appeared and shouted at John to keep all the tables. As John quietly stared at her, she raised her voice and said '' I asked you to do it, so do it !'' All these happened right in front of me and the feeling within is just horrible as i watch John quietly standing up and keeping all the tables alone. Did i mention, John is the only down syndrome kid going to a special school in the home. I couldnt contain any of these anymore, as i was telling tasha how much i have the urge to just bring John out of that place.Being in John's position, i can't imagine how terrible that feeling is. And to me, what is so wrong about this boy wanting his religion ?! You saying a down syndrome kid cant have any religion ?!! Instead of blaming the world or even God, for giving him a mother who doesn't want to take responsibility of him, John chose to love God even more and accepted Him into his everyday life. I believe, it's all because of his strong faith and believe in God, that John managed to pull through till this day today. We all know, being a down syndrome kid aint easy, the things that they go through makes them feel even smaller and losing their own self confidence as they turn more sensitive towards the people around them. But for John, he stayed strong and the fact that he's willing to open up his heart and let me into it, tells me that he isn't just anyone. I don't know why, but i feel alot for John, i really did. That it almost turned into anger in me, as i didn't felt like entertaining any others kids but only focused on John. From him, i felt that i've learn so much. His love for God, despite the things going on around him amazes me alot. The way he managed his anger is something that i have yet to learn. As time is running out, the more i didn't feel like leaving John's side to be all alone there again. How i wish, i could make a difference for him. As we asked the kids what they needed, all sorts of request came up. But John, he asked for a cross. Yes, a cross.It was time to leave, as i was sittin beside yikhin in the car waitin to make a move together with the rest, i looked into the home as i saw John standing outside at the gate there staring at me. Gave him a big big wave as he started to chuckle and waved back. I felt warmth. Nothing more sincere than this. He really made my trip worthwhile.Well, im waitin to see little John again, with his gift. =)Apart from all these, i definitely had alot of fun doing this project with the other guys too. Many pics were taken, but all of it in aaron's camera. So, guess i'll get the pics and post it up here soon ? Till then, take care !!!
