Yesterday, we went to Sisters of Charity (a Catholic girls orphanage we're working with) to help out with their daycare and feeding program. It was pouring rain and since Nicaraguans don't like the rain, at least half the children from the week before were missing; and the ones that were there happened to be pretty shy. So, as our group of 10 gringos came into the room, instead of the previous week's reception (kids running up and simply clinging onto us) we found a group of quiet children. The little boys didn't run and yell like they had and the little girls simple looked at us with big eyes. We all went in, somewhat tired due to the weather, but still expecting the same attention- and were shown again to not have expectations (a lesson we all continue to learn on this trip). I went around, trying to interact with some of the kids, but not having a lot of luck. There was this one little girl wearing a little pink dress, probably around 2 years old, simply holding a ball. I tried to talk to her but again no luck (the children all also happened to go mute with the shyness). I ended up picking her up and going and sitting down with her- but she still refused to talk or even smile. I held her for about 20 minutes, simply holding her and helping her eat her snack. I kept saying things to her, hoping to get her to smile. I started bouncing her on my knee, catching her when she would "fall"... but still nothing. But I was persistent--- and then, one time, I caught a small smile on her face. And then after that, her smile came easier each time until she would smile without prodding. Such a sweet smile. And that made the entire time worth it.