Our Boys

Maybe someday God will give us sons, but recently we have adopted several! One day as we were riding our bikes home we heard the sound of flip-flops slapping the street. Three boys were chasing Nate to the gate of our house. When we got there they said "Limpio?" We knew they were asking us if they could sweep or clean for us.

The boys were about 9 or 10 years old and were out to find jobs! I had just the job for them. Our back "yard" hasn't been cleaned for the whole time we have lived in the Philippines. It is basically a cement rectangle with a sink and a washing spinner machine. There was mold and green stuff in the cracks; dirt under the washer, it was all nasty. I didn't want to get down and scrub it, but these boys are used to getting dirty.

We gave them some tools and they set to work. They worked HARD! They were scraping and scrubbing, working together and cooperating. It was so fun to hear their language as they coordinated tasks together.
When they were all done I looked and saw three sets of eyes peering in the back screen. I wish I had a picture of that! It was precious. We invited them in for a nice snack while Nate read them a Bible story in their language. Then we paid them and sent them on their way with "take-out food" and some old treasures they found while cleaning that we didn't want. What a fun day watching our boys do their chores.

Shortly after that day we had 5 high school guys over for a night of "Settlers of Catan". Again a table full of sons. It was so fun to hear them trade and discuss good places on the board. They got loud! I couldn't believe how much they discussed during the game. Usually we are all intense and quiet. They ate dozens of my cookies and muffins, saying thank you of course. When they all stood up I felt like a midget! Tall sons and one tall husband and a little lady hosting the boys. Wow, that was fun! Thank you, Lord, for many adoptive sons! (The Filipinos always tell us they're praying for us to have one "made in the Philippines"!)