Things Erika taught me
Be Joyful always
Laugh a lot
Eat slowly and savor every bite
When you play sports it’s all about having fun and not worrying about score
I learnt that the most important moment in our lives is the one we are living right now
A simple smile can say that you care
No matter how old you will get always have childlike faith
Life here is short so chill out and relax sometimes
I don't know who wouldn't want to spend time with someone like this. The hard truth is that she was found abandoned by her family. Erika has Cerebral Palsy.
And calling to him a child, he put him in the midst of them and said, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-4 ESV)
My favorite day while working with Gracie and her ministry by far has been hanging out with Erika. One laugh from this girl and you will be happy for the rest of your day. She plays on her mat having the time of her life all day. Sometimes it can take over an hour to feed her but that is completely fine even just the process is the best meal time you have ever seen. She was rescued after being abandoned abused and malnourished.
Now she is healthy, happy, cared for and loved completely. The ministry had some wheelchairs donated for the girls with CP but there was no way to keep them seated and we were not able to construct a way. After spending the morning with the girls and making sure they had eaten ever bit of food Haleigh and I looked outside and just couldn’t help but want to take them out to have the sun meet their skin and let them see things they don't get to see every day.
After grabbing a wheelchair we studied it to see how we could make this possible. After few minutes a realized that if I sat in the chair and held her she could be safe. All I needed was to wrap my arms around her and not let go and all she would have to do is enjoy every moment.
We were able to go outside the gate and Charlyn wheeled the both of us down the dirt road laughing a squealing with a breeze and sun on our faces. We got to a soccer field and while Haleigh kicked around a pop bottled we followed and got to experience scoring goals at its finest.
Today I made a very special friend and I have never learnt so much in one day 🙂
