Though I have
plenty of photos to choose from, the ones showing the lovely children in the
Nepal Children's Home have always caused my heart to smile. I want to take the
opportunity this week to share with you this special joy that I dearly hold.
Since the establishment of the Lovelight Society’s Children's Home, I have visited Nepal three times (in 2008, 2009, and 2011). In 2008, the children were still small. I didn't know much about them until I read their profiles one day. I was grieved when learned about their tragic past. Some of their parents passed away in various circumstances when they were very young. Some were neglected from basic care. Some were sent to forced child labour such as washing dishes in restaurants. One thing was common among them: they lacked parental love.
Because they had suffered so much so early in their lives, I cannot express my feelings of satisfaction when I saw them smiling and laughing so genuinely and freely. We have saved their lives. Their precious lives!
In each subsequent trip since first meeting them, I saw them grow taller and stronger. They also excel in sports and academics, winning many awards and certificates. Most importantly, they continue to smile and treasure growing up together in this home as brothers and sisters.
The photo you are seeing was taken just a few months earlier this year by Shanta, the dear Papa of approximately 35 children. The girls were enjoying a field trip together. They have grown more since I saw them last time!
- Joe
最近趕製新的照片冊──加德滿都的磚廠。整個人都很投入在磚廠的故事及照片中，在寫稿及定稿之時，惟一心中有歡悅，甚至感動，有想哭的感覺，就是看到離開磚廠、進入兒童之家的孩子們的相片。不用他們親自說話，他們的臉龐、笑容、衣著、行動，表達著他們的幸福，他們可以去遊樂場，郊外旅行，有生日會，以前這些對他們來說，都是幻想，現在卻是他們的生活。
他們長高了，成熟了，他們珍貴他們的「家」，像兄弟姊妹一樣一起生活、學習。
這是Shanta──他們的「爸爸」替他們拍的生活照！
- Violin