While meeting up with our entire squad in a city called Mgorrogorro, I had the priviledge of visiting a center for special needs children . When I was told there would be an opportunity to love on these kids, I was beyond thrilled. All throughout my college years I cared for a teenage boy with Autism and spent some of my summers working at a camp for special needs kids and adults and I loved it. For the past 6 months, I've been hoping and praying that God would give me the chance to serve at a school or orphanage specifically for special needs kids. The Lord was faithful and provided me 2 hours to laugh, play, and delight with His beautiful children!
I went along with 2 of my squad mates, Anthony and Melissa, who had been to the center 6 or 7 times before. We walked into a room where all the kids were eating lunch and I went by each table and spent time hanging out with the kids. There were some that were completely nonverbal and others who were eager to chat with me. I cherished my time with each one because I knew I would not have the chance to come back. After a while, I went outside to play with some of the other kids. There were some running around and throwing balls to one another and then there were a couple sitting by themselves. I noticed a pretty girl wearing a tattered light green dress who was sitting alone and had a blank stare on her face. I sat next to her and asked her what her name was . She did not respond but one of the boys sitting next to her told me she goes by Amina. I started to sing to her and make funny faces and soon she started to smile and warm up to me. She began laughing at the way I would drop to my knees and then wave my hands in the air while making noises. I would do this repeatedly do this and she continued to giggle. Our friendship formed quickly and I was sad that I only had a short time with her. Before we were about to leave, Anthony and Melissa came over to me and told me that they had never seen Amina smile or interact with anyone. They both expressed that they had never seen her so happy and filled with joy.
Even though I only spent 2 hours with these kids, I felt so at home with them. I was completely in my element and felt more comfortable than I have with any group of kids we've been with. I loved the reminder that God truly has given me a heart and a strong desire to minister to children and adults with special needs. Their unique joy is infectious. Their love is unconditional and they give it away so generously. I pray that my joy would be as infectious as theirs and that I would choose daily to love people without any conditions. I may not be going back to Tanzania to see Amina or my other new friends, but I fully believe I will see them all in Heaven!
