It’s pretty obvious that I have a very sweet and special connection with a little boy in Ethiopia. I met him the first day and I wanted to be around him every second I could. There was and is something special about him. I can’t talk about him much because it hurts a lot, but lemme try now.
Let me first give you some back story:
When I signed up for the race a lot of stuff happened. What I mean by that, is that I thought the Lord was revealing things to me about people I would encounter on the trip through dreams. Specifically a little African boy… one that could be a child for me in the future – or atleast that’s what I felt. I could see him in my dream. An ariel view of him looking up and smiling at me. I’ve held on to that possible moment for the whole race thus far.
In Costa Rica, I felt like the Lord was trying to describe him even more to me, naming him Jude. Of course this got me excited. Jude means praise. Thinking that the Lord was laying a future child for me and my future spouse to adopt.
Jump forward to month six, we are at HOPEthiopia. I meet sweet Robirra. For those of you that don’t know, or didn’t see on an Instagram post, roberria was left at the doorsteps of Hope in a coma state, leaving him with physical and mental disabilities. They told me when we got here, that he couldn’t walk or talk. When I heard this, my heart physically hurt. After hearing this, I really wanted to work with him and help him with all my abilities. Half way through our time, he was taking steps while holding our fingers. He started laughing on the regular too! This excited all the house mamas and staff. His name in their native language means, “Gift from God” – and what a gift he is to everyone around him. His smile and way of communicating with me is nothing that I’ve ever experienced. Somehow i knew exactly what he wanted or needed.
Robirra, sweet boy, you softened my heart. You helped me feel. You helped me care more about myself, my loved ones back home and the friends right in front of me. You gave me more love than I ever expected.
If the Lord works it out and it’s in HIS plan, I would gladly be your mama. But if not, He is still good. I truly believe that.
Thank you Father, for using something I possibly dreamt up in my human head for GOOD. You work all things for good. I praise you for the gift that Roberria is to the world. You are a good, good father that cares about his children. Thank you Father, for using a child to show me your gentleness and care.
until next time,
lauren
