My Boys (clockwise from the top left corner): David, Joshua, Nathan, Jasper, Sam
At this moment as I write this blog I'm typing with one hand and I hold little Sam in the other and I am content. His little head is resting on my chest, listening to my heartbeat and staring up at my face. He stares at me waiting for another kiss on the cheek and a tight squeeze, which always results in a series of giggles. Jasper pulls himself to be as close as he can be to me. If I even slightly move he moves as if he is glued to my side. Every time I turn over and talk to him his big brown eyes light up. Joshua is laying on his bed staring at me with a big toothy grin. I can hear David in the other room squeaking his new toy that we brought to him as he shows his brother Nathan who begins to clap in excitement at the sound. There is life in this little apartment in India!
When I first arrived here in India, my team and I were taken to Victory Home, a home for abandoned special needs children in India. Sarah's Covenant Home ministry was in the process of moving 107 special needs kids out of this house into new apartments were the kids could receive more one on one care and attention. Many of the children who had not been moved yet crowded us at the gate and demanded our attention. I took each hand offered to me and gave many hugs and received many sloppy wet kisses on my cheeks and hands as we were given the grand tour of the house. I had a little boy sitting on my foot clinging to my right leg, an older girl clutching and continually kissing my right hand as another boy was pulling me in another direction by my left hand. It was a bit chaotic but as a seasoned camp director I was used to the initial craziness of meeting a large group of children for the first time.
Jasper
As a result of the stage 1 clinger on my leg I quickly fell behind the rest of my group. I leaned over to pick up the little boy when I heard a sound coming from the door towards the back of the patio. I'm automatically curious by nature and when something catches my attention I'm usually quick to explore and this instance was no different. When I approached the door I quietly walked inside. I had to let my eyes adjust and when they did I found myself in a room with a couple of beds pushed together and I saw five boys laying close together. I have to admit, I've never really worked with special needs much before so I was a little bit nervous. At first I just stood there, these boys looked so frail and weren't really moving or responding. I found myself walking towards the bed and then I slowly sat down. I reached out and touched the head of the young boy closest to me, Joshua. When he felt my touch his eyes flew open, a smile spread across his face, and he giggled. I've never fallen in love with another soul as quickly as I did in that moment!
This month has been such an incredible month working and learning from these boys! My daily routine was to go in and say hello to all the boys. If they were asleep, I woke them up (that's right! I didn't want to lose one minute I had with them.) Then I intentionally spent one on one time with each boy. This included holding them, kissing their cheeks, telling them how special and loved they were, singing to them, and praying over them. Then after that day to day activities varied such as: reading books, listening to worship, clipping finger nails and toenails, picking lice out of their hair (and sometimes mine haha), playing with new toys, bathing them, going to the park, and sitting outside.
One of the greatest things that I learned is that Gods purpose for each individual is real! Each person on the earth was created for a specific purpose and just because some seem different than others does not make their purpose here on earth any less significant than any other life!
Sam and I hanging out for the first time
At first, I didn't know exactly what to pray for my boys besides healing. Then one day as I was sitting next to Sam, stroking his hair, God spoke to me. He specifically said, "Pray a revelation of purpose over them. They understand more than you or anyone else could ever know. I love them! And I have intentional relationships with each of them. Pray for a revelation of purpose!" These words brought tears to my eyes! That day as I moved from boy to boy I laid my hands on there eyes and prayed, "God I pray a revelation of purpose for this young man! I pray that he would encounter You in a very real and special way! Speak to him as only You know how. Thank you for the plans you have for him, to prosper him and not to harm him. Let Your kingdom come and Your will be done with this young mans life. Amen!"
Sam and his beautiful laughing face
When I would take my hand of their eyes I was usually met with either a giggle and a smile or sometimes a thoughtful and intent look as if they were contemplating the words I had prayed. I know they understood Gods love! I know they understood that they had a purpose to fulfill by the time I left India!
Saying goodbye to them was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life! As I moved from boy to boy I took there faces into my hands and said, "Don't you forget! You have a purpose! You are loved! And if I don't see you again on this earth I will see you soon in Heaven. And you better run and give me hug when we do!"
Jasper with his serious face as he listens to music
My time in India was simply amazing! When I left, I left a part of my heart with Sam, Joshua, Jasper, Nathan, and David! These give boys are incredible and they have so much to give to the lives who are privileged enough to come in contact with them. My life and perspective of people will never be the same and I owe it all to them!
Team Changes Punjabi style in India from left to right: Lindsey, Katelyn, Kristen, Me, Kaylee, Sierra
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Quick financial update: I am 82% funded!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for all that have supported me! I'm so excited as i get closer and closer to being fully funded! Initially, now I need a little less than $3,000 by December to be able to stay the complete 11 months! God is moving and I love being his hands and feet in these places he has called me to! Thank you to all of you who have already invested in and have made this mission possible. AllIf you feel led to give click on the SUPPORT ME TAB on the left side of my blog screen! Thank you and much love from Nepal!!!!!
