Future Doctor who Designs Scrubs

   This past weekend we visited the orphanage that is supported by ICM (the ministry we are working with)……Wow! Such strong Faith among such little people…. children who have already walked through so much fire early in life. It was awesome to worship with them and to just see the joy radiate across their faces. They enjoyed dancing, talking to us, and just hanging on to our arms. We enjoyed learning the Jai Ho dance from Slumdog Millionaire, which they rock like none other. As an introduction, they performed two different dances for us (Jai Ho included) Two of the girls wanted to share their testimony with our group…..

   Suzanne: At age 6 had to drop out of school and work to help support the family….she went to school 2 times a week. Her father worked in the rice fields and was a good man….except when he drank (he would beat her mom). When she was 12 or so he came in to the house severly drunk. He tried to put kerosene in a lamp (I didn’t quite catch what she meant) causing an explosion where she was cooking. Her face caught fire…..he tried to throw something over her to stop it, but the material was plastic. It stuck to her face and melted into her. All her mom and sister could do was watch in horror. She survived and spent a long time in a Filipino hospital, not getting the care she needed. Basically her face was melted down into her neck. She tried to return to school but people would just make fun of her……the ICM staff found her and intervened. She spent 11 months in the Washington state for surgeries. She worked in a camp and said her confidence was strengthened, she also learned how to drive:) “I came back with an American accent.”

   At age 19, she is back in high school where her favorite subject is english. She eventually wants to work with ICM and be a missionary. Suzanne has forgiven her dad and prays he will take care of himself (he is still an alcoholic). Her mom and sister left him awhile ago. “God is good, because he gave me a second chance to live.”

   Her story is heartbreaking, but when you see how strong and confident she is now…..it is awesome. She really has a passion to use her story to help others. Her face, neck, and arms are still scarred; but she carries it with grace. Suzanne’s beauty radiates and she is a powerful women of God.

   All these kids have a heartbreaking story, most were found starving…..some on the streets begging, some still with their families, some with TB. One little girl watched her stepfather stab her pregnant mom to death. At first I wanted to be sad and cry for them, but that changed when I watched them. They have such a fire and a faith for God, that turns the sorrow into admiration. I want that childlike faith……I want to always have that confidence in God’s love. 

   The orphans really portray the book of James, as they have such a faith and endurance. They have a pure genuine heart for God. We had the privilage to worship with them and then to hang out with them all day (which did include going to the ‘beach” where a few of us entered the water with them…… by faith:) No idea what goes into that water…..
 It was a beautiful day that made us hunger more to be with them to offer our love…..and to experience their simple and pure joy again.