Such Significance in an “Insignificant” Life

Beatrice means bringer of joy…

Such an appropriate name for this little girl; I believe it wasn’t
by accident that we came to know her by this name, even though her real
name was Melissa.

**For those of you who are newer to my blog and may not know the
story of Beatrice, you can click on the beginnings of the following
blogs respectively to read about our journey together:

Blog 1: Beatrice:
I spotted her from a distance sitting in the sun all alone. Right away
I could tell something was not right. I approached the little girl to
find her sitting in her own urine, bottomless wearing only a torn,
dirty shirt. She was so, so tiny. I bent down to touch her. All I knew
to do was call on the name of Jesus in desperation. Her body so frail
and little, I thought she was maybe between 1 and 2. Who is this little
girl? Why is she all alone?….

Blog 2: Beatrice Update:
Beatrice is doing well. Each time I see her she seems to be more aware
and have more energy. Her father seems to be doing well also. He looks
different, brighter, more at peace. As you know we have been trying to
find a better situation for Beatrice so she can get well. We looked at
a couple of orphanages, and they were great, but we kept praying about
it. We have taken her to see a pediatrician and a physical therapist.
She will be going to the physical therapist three days a week to build
her muscles in her legs and arms. She will also be going to a speech
therapist. She needs a lot of care, a lot of attention and a lot of
love. But the doctors are hopeful and so are we!…

Blog 3: Update on Beatrice:
Quite a bit has happened since I left Kenya and said goodbye to
Beatrice…she has been staying with Phillip, the youth pastor, who had
been helping me with her while I was there. He and his wife took her in
and had been caring for her and taking her to her medical
appointments.  She was showing improvement and put on weight…

Blog 4: Walk My Beloved:
I am so thrilled to update you on Beatrice (Melissa)! It is clear God
has been continuing the work He started in that precious little girl. I
received a message from Philip the other day stating that Beatrice is
now WALKING!!!!! This once malnourished little girl is now well fed and
able to walk when she holds on to things around her!!! Praise God!…

_________________________________________________________________________________________

I don’t know how to say this, and it has been a struggle the past
few days to be able to get this out. Sweet, little Beatrice has
suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. Despite all the positive reports
and care she has been receiving, it seems as though her tiny little
body just couldn’t take the years of malnourishment.

So many different emotions and thoughts have been racing through me.
There are so many things I could say. This little girl had an impact
that probably no one would have expected from her.

For most of her years on this earth, she was hungry, alone, and
fighting. When I found her, she was seven years old, twelve pounds,
abandoned by her mother, sitting in the dirt in her own urine,
extremely malnourished and weak. For so long people had been passing
her by as she sat by herself, just a child. For the past year, however,
she has been getting cared for in a loving home, with amazing foster
parents, receiving much deserved attention, love and care, and had been
improving in her health.

Oh Beatrice, I’m so sorry this world was so tough on you. You stayed
so strong. You were such a fighter. And yet you somehow brought so much
joy; your little high-pitched whimper of a laugh, the way you would
just point your little finger at things around you and smile. You
laughed so often, and it was the most precious thing I have ever heard.
I’m so proud of you. I am so, so proud of you. Just a little girl, body
and development devastated by years of lack of nourishment. The world
gave you nothing, but somehow you managed to give the world so much.

I hope you know the impact you left here, you made a huge dent in
this world just by being. Little girl, your story has been spread all
over the world and it has touched so many lives. Many people have been
inspired by you, inspired to action and inspired to hope. You have
touched the hearts of many. I hope you know all the tears that have
been shed for you-across continents-and your death in this world has
been felt and you are missed.

At your funeral, little one, SEVEN people gave their lives to Jesus.
That is ONE life for EACH year you spent abandoned. You are a hero, and
you saved those people’s lives.

Because of you, your little brother has a chance at life. Because of
you he was found. He was so malnourished, but since he is younger than
you, he had a chance to get cared for before it was too late. Now he is
a healthy, talking little boy who is going to school. You saved him
Beatrice!

(This picture is from February, 2011 Beatrice and Patrick)

I am so blessed that God would allow my path to cross yours. It was
a privilege to hold you and kiss you. You have blessed my life. Your
smile has brought me life. Your laugh has brought me joy. And you have
forever changed this heart of mine.

I am so sad that I don’t get to see you again on this earth, but I
know you are now free. You are not restricted by the limited functions
of your body and mind. You are free. God has set you free, and now you
are living abundantly in the fullness of His presence and Glory. You
are being loved to the full. I thought I was going to hold you in my
arms again, but instead we will be singing and dancing together at the
appointed time.

I love you so much. I will never, ever forget you. You have
drastically changed my life. And it is because of you, that I am coming
for them, those like you, and like your brother. I am coming for your inheritance baby girl, and together we will share in His glory.