They
tell us not to have favorites, but that is simply impossible! The problem is that the children choose
you! The love that flows from them and
fills your heart is impossible to ignore.
Once the love bug has bitten, no matter how much you try not to have a
favorite, you do. Most times, bonding
with that favorite is life-changing as well.
When you realize how much you love this child that you have never met
before, you come to such an understanding of how much God loves you as
well.
My favorite has always been
Bili. He was here my first trip to the Malnutrition
Center in January of 2011. Seeing Bili
so sick, almost non-responsive with a blank expression on his face broke my
heart. I never dreamed I could love so
much. Over time, I saw Bili grow. I saw the intelligence in his mind. I heard
him speak and laugh. Every trip, it was
something new. A flash of who he was
becoming. Then, in the Fall of 2013,
Bili went home. I was not sure that I
would ever see him again, but I knew I wanted to remain in his life.
The Orphan's Heart Sponsorship Program gave me that
opportunity. Paying only $30 a month
ensured not only that Bili and his family would have food each month, but also
that the Center could maintain contact with him. Each month when he returns to the Center with
his family for the food basket, the staff can measure his health and his
progress. Bili’s mom has expressed her
appreciation for the gift, which costs me so little. As Americans, we have been extremely
blessed. While we might have to make a
sacrifice, cut back on our fast food or Starbucks coffee, chose to make fewer
purchases or in some way earn the extra money, that $30 means so much in the life
of a child!
Yesterday, returning to the
Center for the first time since Bili left, I was sad that his face was not
among those who greeted me. I walked
into the Ducks, but there was a hole in my heart at his absence. Today, while working with the Squirrels,
Olivia came to find me. She had a big
smile on her face and said, “Someone is here to see you.” I knew instantly who she was talking about,
but could not believe that Bili was here.
Though they picked up their food basket last week, his parents brought
him on the bus, a forty minute journey, to see me. How humbling!
He is talking so much more. Obviously loves his momma and papa. There is such a sweet bond between them
all. He has a new baby sister only
eleven days old. We spent a couple of
hours together, talking with the help of Olivia, Alejandra and Isabel. We played on the playground, had a snack and
enjoyed each other’s company. It was a
sweet, sweet gift. My heart is
full.
While I cannot promise that you
will have the privilege of once again seeing the child you love and favor, I
can say with conviction that sponsoring a
child will not only change your life, but also the life of a child and an entire
family.
This
morning, we plunged into our work at the Center like we had been here for
weeks.
Christopher’s favorite moment of
the day was playing with the Ducks and Squirrels in free time. He learned he has to keep his eyes on Sara as
she is an escape artist.
Miranda’s favorite
part of today was cuddling one child at a time and fixing the girls’ hair.
Nathaniel and Miranda made balloon swords for
the Chicks, which they loved. Nathaniel
was beaten by the balloon swords and survived.
He is amazed at how well Maria Asuncion can get around even on the
playground in her walker.
Bethany
was able to get the bee hives checked, move them around to give the bees more
room and prepare to extract honey in a week or two.
Israel got to work with the Canaries today
and learned how hard it is to feed a baby!
Parnell loves seeing what people have been gifted to do, being used by
God to bless the children and Nannies.
Marvin is still painting with a bright yellow paint which fortunately
matches his shirt.
Taylor loved getting a chance to feed and “co-diaper” a
baby. He does not think he is ready to
take on that challenge by himself yet.
Anita, Camille, Cameo, Eryn and Kristen put on a spa for the Nannies, giving massages, haircuts and manicures.
Nancy’s favorite part of the day was doing the Bible Story for the Ducks
and Squirrels where "David and Goliath" was acted out. Parnell got to play Goliath. Then, the children played with balloon swords
and “fought” their own Goliath.
Jeanette
loved getting so many hugs, even the anonymous “from behind” ones!
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