Easy answer…..because God asked me to.
Longer answer…here it goes.
In 5th & 6th grade, my children’s pastor decided it would be a good idea to take 50 11-13 year olds on missions trips to Mexico (yes I know he was crazy). I didn’t know at the time, but those trips would be the foundation of the bigger picture the Lord had prepared for me.
One of our ministries was to work at an orphanage in Juarez, Mexico. We played with the kids, painted their rooms, brought them toys and clothes, but the best part was when I met Alliseli. I wish I could give remember more about what she looked like (these were the disposable camera days). Although I can’t picture her face, I remember one thing about her. Her laugh. It was infectious. I would come into the orphanage first thing in the morning and call her name at the top of my lungs. Before I could see her coming, I’d hear that laugh. She would run to me and we’d erupt in a fit of laughter. I’m not sure I was any use to the team during our time there because all I wanted to do was spend time with her. We would read, jump rope, color, and sit on her bed and laugh at each other. Recently, I was cleaning out some old boxes of treasure I’ve saved throughout the years and I found something I had long forgotten about. Our last day at the orphanage we were saying our goodbyes and she pulled this out of her pocket and said it was for me. From someone who the world considered to have nothing, she gave me something so valuable. She showed me the love of Jesus. This small gift was given as an expression of her love for me, even though we had only spent a couple days together. It’s something that still brings tears to my eyes over 14 years later.
That experience, along with many others during those trips, laid a framework for the ministry I believe the Lord I calling me into. I had never met an orphan before, I had never experienced what it meant to not have a family. Because I had no frame of reference, I didn’t know I was supposed to love them or even how to love them. I know now. With a smile, a hug, a prayer, a laugh.
I am so grateful for that experience, because at an early age I understood that my world was much bigger than my little surroundings. I grasped that my life was meant to be more than just my bubble. I was able to experience love for another and see Jesus is action.
As I embark on this next journey, Alliseli will be on my mind. I know the Lord put her in my life to increase my capacity to love many more orphans. I believe the Lord will put more children, like Alliseli, in path so I can let them know that their Father in Heaven loves them and He is the best kind of family anyone could ask for.
To be continued…..
