Broken Promises

The other day as we were at Saramoldaeva picking up children for our monthly birthday party. We came upon a girl that was supposed to attend. She informed us that she would not be coming. When asked why, she responded that her mother was coming to the orphanage to visit for the first time in nine years. She told us that her mother had recently been released from jail and was going to come to see her. We congratulated her and told her we would bring her some cake and pizza from the party. She had such a look of hope and anticipation in her eyes as we left her there waiting for her mother to arrive. After the party, as we followed through on our promise to her, there was no need to ask if her mother had come. Her eyes told the story of yet another disappointment, although she tried to smile in the midst of it all. It is amazing to watch the hope that still lives in these children's eyes despite the many disappointments during their short lives.