is an 11 year old Haitian boy who arrived at the orphanage in the DR where we
stayed. He came there a day or two before we arrived. He speaks French and
Kreyole, which are the main languages in Haiti. I was never able to carry on a
conversation with him because I only knew how to say, “How are you?” and “What
is your name?” in French.
The
entire time we were at the orphanage, Sheldon would just sit there in a chair
off to the side observing everyone. He didn’t say a word. He looked like he was
in shock or in another world. He had a cast on his right arm and some gashes on
his head.
Unfortunately,
I don’t know his story. I don’t know if he has any family left. I don’t know
how he got to this orphanage.
All
I know is that his entire world has been forever changed. I see sadness in his
eyes. I see an 11 year old boy who is devastated and lost.
What
can I do? What can I offer him? What can I say?
On
my flight home, God put him heavily on my heart. I regretted not finding out
his story. There was just no one around the orphanage who spoke French to be
able to translate for me.
So
while on the plane I prayed for him and came to the conclusion that he has
probably either lost his entire family or he doesn’t know where his family is
or if they are even still alive and he somehow got separated and brought to
this orphanage.
Either
way, this orphanage is the reality of the new life that he has just started.
He
is 11 years old.
He knows what is going on. He is at the age where he still depends on his
family to provide for him in life. And now that is all gone. He will
forever be changed by this tragic event.
Please
pray for Sheldon and the millions of other children who are in an absolute
state of shock and feel like they have no one to turn to right now. They need
our prayers more than ever. “
