Bouncing Babies

Saturday morning in Taipei, we visited two houses where they keep HIV positive children, and some HIV negative orphans of HIV positive parents. First stop was The Garden of Mercy, up a secret staircase where both the offices and the nursery are kept. The first three pictures are at The Garden of Mercy--the darling little boy pictured has been adopted by a couple in the U.S. and will soon be stateside. He tested HIV negative though his mom was positive. The woman seated on the floor with me is Susan, the lovely lady who runs The Garden of Mercy. The fourth picture is at Harmony Home, the aforementioned refuge for people living with HIV/AIDS that is being threatened because the neighbors are claiming that the presence of HIV positive people in the neighbborhood is emotionally disturbing. All I can say about that is that those people should go have a tea party with Nicole and the babies and then see if they feel "emotionally disturbed." We were overwhelmed by joy and love as they circled around us and hugged and kissed us. I have lots more to write about these incredible, tireless, brave women, both of whom are HIV negative, who have dedicated their lives to caring for those others have neglected. But, jet lag is catching up and I've written much, so I thought I'd just share the pictures. When I can figure out the technology, I'll post the video of Sean playing basketball with the toddlers. They are so in need of love!