It happened, I've adopted my first child.
Don't freak out, I'm not bringing him home with me.
Allow me to explain:
Sweet Aroma spent our second week of ministry helping a church build a security wall. On the first day a few of the young men who attend the church were there helping as well. I quickly noticed one of the young men was very curious about our group and was quite the hard worker. He was also extremely polite, despite the language barrier. As the day went on he started asking our translator questions about us and we got to know him a little better, as well.
The next day he was the only extra help, and the more I watched this boy work, the more God nudged me to know his story. I soon learned that he had been abandoned by his mother so he was now living with an aunt. Later he shared that his father left the moment he found out about his mother's pregnancy. As a toddler his mother had a boyfriend who was abusive to Darwing. His mother eventually left that man and married another. At only 10 years old, Darwing was in the way and his mother decided she would move to Costa Rica without him. Luckily his aunt was willing to take him in as her own and brought him to church where he chose to give his life to Christ.
Unfortunately, once again she disappointed him and left the very next day. So now he's expected to start providing for himself, as a high school graduate, it's time to get a job. Finding a job that pays enough to support a young man on his own are nearly impossible to find. Especially if he needs money to also cover the cost of college courses and materials. The reality of this cost, $45 monthly for college classes, seems like a drop in the bucket to us; however, with the Nicaraguan Cordoba being worth 25:1 US dollar this is a large amount of money to earn on top of providing one's basic needs. Darwing shared that this bleak outcome began to weigh on him to the point of considering suicide. All of it was just too much to handle for him, but not for Jesus! God called him out of the place he was in and brought him to a church where he renewed his dedication to living for Christ. Becoming part of this new church allowed him to be reminded just how much God loves him and promises to take care of him. The church gave him periodic work and in exchange provided clothing and food. He is now an integral part of his church and watching him share the gospel with others is inspiring. I was also incredibly inspired that through all sadness and trouble of his life he never once turned to gangs, alcohol or drugs. These routes are very common for young men like Darwing. His neighborhood alone teems with young men who choose these to fill that void.
After learning all of this I knew God had sent me to help this young man reach his goal of becoming a computer systems engineer. He showed me that university information and we calculated the cost. I have pledged to provide him with $100 every three months to pay for courses and buy any needed materials. Eventually, he will need a computer for the more advanced level courses so we are all praying God will provide this for him as well.
In saying our goodbyes, Darwing expressed how grateful he is that God brought me to Nicaragua. He sees me as a mother who takes special care of him, something he has never had. I promised him that I would do everything in my power to come back for his graduation. I truly believe that God will honor us both and make sure that happens.
