Have you ever met a person and you
knew right away they were special? Not
special in a way of importance or even clout……… Special in a way that is unexplainable
and can only be felt in your spirit and in your heart? Yesterday as my team and
I were in the slums of Nakuru painting a one bedroom house for a family………. I
met an angel named Faith. I took a break
from the strong fumes of the paint and stepped outside for fresh air. After a
few minutes here came the children. It has become a norm to be surrounded by
20-30 kids at any given moment at any given place, but one small child caught
my eye. She walked by and held out her hand to greet me just as every other kid
had done. She didn’t’ say a word, only smiled with this open mouth and a toothy
grin. Without even thinking I held out both arms and embraced her into my lap.
She melted in my arms, still not saying a word. The front of her shirt was
completely soaked. I quickly realized it was due to her uncontrollable
drooling. Faith is around 6 or 7 years old and well beyond the drooling stage.
I knew something was different about my sweet little angel.
The only reason I knew her name was
because a girl standing close told me. I asked her how old was Faith and she
said around 6 or 7. I then asked could Faith talk or make sounds. She explained
that Faith has a medical condition where her tongue is connected to the bottom
of her mouth and she has never been able to talk. She has been to several local
dr’s. but they won’t risk her health and do the simple procedure. Her family couldn’t
afford it no matter the cost anyway. There are hundreds of children in the US
that face this problem but the procedure is taken care of a few days after
birth. Here in Nakuru, health isn’t quit the same. What we deem a simple procedure
could end in fatality or severe infection. I know God has shielded me from
disease, infection, an/or worse on the race. I decided I will not withhold my
love and affection from people I encounter because I fear contamination. I
asked God to allow me to love all his children despite their visible health issues
and those that can’t be seen. God’s hand of protection is around me and allows
me to love angels like Faith without hesitation.
Still holding my angel baby in my
lap, lunch time approaches. I have 2 options: first is to put her down and send
her on her way while I eat and stay clean in the process or secondly, I could
continue to hold her, pray over her, and share my lunch. My heart speaks and I can’t
put her down. I open my lunch on her lap and start eating. I see her little
eyes peering at my fries; she is too sweet to take one but she is lovingly
observing them. We both dig in. With her health condition comes certain issues
with eating. She can’t move her little tongue around so sometimes the food
doesn’t stay in and comes out with copious amount is saliva J That’s ok, I tell
myself and I just move the food a bit out of the line is fire and we continue
eating. For a brief moment I realize this beautiful child of God must be an
angel. She can’t talk to me or even laugh but she has moved my heart in such a
way I will never forget. Faith proves we don’t have to have words to speak
directly to another’s heart. Faith spoke louder to me that any audible voice
ever has.
Myself and some of the team prayed
over her. She then wanted to go play so I put her down. I was sad to see her
go. I went back inside and we finished up the house we were painting. As we
were waiting for our ride I see my little angel, Faith come running back. By
this time there are about 50 kidos surrounding us. Faith makes her way through
and comes to me. This time I pick her up to tickle her and the most beautiful
sound comes from her mouth. The sweetest laughter you have ever heard. Her
little mouth is open so wide it takes up her whole face. Yep……here comes the
drool. Her laughter was music to my heart. Thank you Jesus for the small
things! After a while she is sitting beside Lacey. Lacey gets my attention to
watch her and Faith. She looks at Faith and says, “Say Jeannie!” With her hands
clasped and her mouth smiling she murmurs “eee eee!” Eee eee has never sounded
so beautiful.
I don’t know if she has ever spoken before or
laughed out loud but for that one day…………………. Faith spoke to me.
