Disclaimer: I have never been what people consider a “kid person.” I was never that girl who would instantly get down on her hands and knees to play with the kids rolling around on the floor, I have never been described with the world “maternal”, and it was always the other girls in my friend group that would be asked to babysit. I have seen kids as germ-carriers, sleep-steelers, and eardrum-shatterers. But that was then.
At Training Camp, we watched a beautiful documentary about a 5 year old Chinese boy with Down’s Syndrome. His name was Zi and he was an orphan. A World Racer came and loved on Zi at the orphanage and was reminded of her niece and nephew back in the States. Her sister had stopped having pregnancies due to postpartum depression, but still wanted to have a big family. Upon seeing Zi and listening to the Holy Spirit, this World Racer messaged her sister in the States and basically said, “I’ve found your son.” Long story short, the Lord totally provided and Zi was adopted into an amazing family that showers him with love every day.
This story touched my heart in ways I didn’t know possible. I almost never cry in movies, but I was bawling like a baby at the end of the documentary. I was suddenly filled with such a compassion for children who have never known a loving family. I’ve been blessed with awesome, godly parents, so it’s hard to imagine a life without them encouraging and loving me my entire childhood. In that moment, I was filled with an empathy that could only come from the Holy Spirit. I saw children sitting alone, wondering why they were abandoned, children who had never ever heard the words “I love you,” children constantly wondering what they did wrong or why they weren’t worthy of love. Every fiber in my being burned passionately with the desire that all children would find a home where they are loved as Christ loves them.
On the plane ride home, I couldn’t get it out of my mind. There were thousands of children out there in the world who needed families. I so wanted to do something to make a difference but what could I do? I’m only 21, I’m no powerful executive, and I still say a bazillion “likes” when I talk. But if there was one thing I learned during Training Camp it was that we were all designed uniquely and beautifully by Christ and we have all been equipped according to his good pleasure. And God made me with a desire to write music. So I pulled out the napkin that came with my complimentary ice water and started scribbling down lyrics right there in the plane.
The lyrics turned into melody as soon as I got home to my guitar and Hope for A Home was born. It’s a song that I hope captures the perspective of orphans around the world who need the unconditional love a family. When I finished the song, I messaged a buddy of mine who does film and now the song is going to be turned into a promotional video for the World Race and its work in orphan care. God is so big and he is able to use the smallest of us. It is my hope that this song will not only be an expression of what God has done in my heart towards his children, but it would also touch the hearts of others and create awareness for orphans in need of families.
While I still don’t know if I’d call myself a “kid person,” it doesn’t change the fact God is doing something radical in my heart where I can genuinely say I love every child of God and that I wholeheartedly desire that every orphan be placed in a home with a family that loves them.
Here is a link to the video of Zi’s adoption if you are interested. http://vimeo.com/78439087
Video of Hope for A Home to follow.
