This month my team and I are staying at Sarah’s Covenant Home, a home for orphans with special needs. I’ve never worked with special needs kids before, but I’ve learned that I enjoy it!
On the first day of ministry, I was in the room with 9 boys, most in wheelchairs. They can’t talk, and most don’t know how to communicate. They just sit in their chairs, drooling, moaning, some playing with toys if their hands are strong enough to grasp the toy. It felt so hopeless. I wondered, what’s our purpose here? What can I possibly do to help these kids?
The second day was a little easier. I learned their names, and I began to see little glimpses of hope. I noticed when they smiled at me. I clapped and said “good job!” when one of them completed the task of stacking different sized cups inside each other. I started to see their different personalities and what they like and dislike. I held hands with them, talked to them, and sang to them.
There are four rooms here at Faith Home, two for girls and two for boys. We rotate to different rooms each day, getting know all of the kids. Some of the kids are more active, like the older boys who go to school. In the younger girls room, though, they are all immobile. The time spent with them is mostly just holding hands with them and trying to get them to engage in any way.
I’m realizing that even in he midst of disabilities and sad stories, this home IS filled with hope. It is a refuge for the fatherless. The ayahs (mothers) who take care of the children are so strong; they spend their days caring for little ones who can’t give anything back in return.
There’s one girl in particular that I love spending time with – she is blind. She sits on the floor rocking back and forth and rubbing her head. We play music for her, and she calms down a little. When I touch her, she immediately tries to get up and sit in my lap. She is a very strong girl, but she doesn’t walk because she can’t see anything.
The other day I helped her stand up and walk around the room. It brought so much joy to me to see the smile on her face and know that she experienced a little bit of hope in that moment!
I also love the older boys. They come up to the roof where we’re living and talk with us every day. They’re a little crazy sometimes – like when they woke us up at 6 in the morning by opening our windows and yelling “sista, sista!” – but they have so much joy and they make us laugh! One of the boys is deaf, but he knows some sign language so I spelled my name for him. He then tried to pronounce my name, but it came out like “La-na-na”…. so that is what he calls me every time he sees me!! It always makes me smile.
We’ve also been able to take the kids to the park and to the beach. The absolutely love outings like this!
These are just a few small examples of what I’ve experienced since working with the kids here at SCH. Each child has a unique story and personality – how I wish I could give them all a home with a loving family! Please pray for these children, that they will understand that they are loved, and they will continue to grow stronger both physically and spiritually. Also pray for the ayahs and nurses who work here, for strength to continue loving and caring for these kids.
The children here at Sarah’s Covenant Home are also in need of financial support to have the proper care; this means $300 a month per child. If you’re interested in helping bring hope to these children, you can give a one-time gift or support a child monthly by visiting their website at www.schindia.in. Click on the menu and choose donate.
If you want more information about Sarah’s Covenant Home or specific children, comment below or send me an email and I can definitely email you with more specific details and pictures!
Thanks for reading…. I absolutely LOVE India and am so glad to serve here!
