My incredible family in El Reten, Ecuador. (Luis, Marley, Rebecca, & Cynthia/Abigail)
From the very first moment we stepped off the bus in El Reten, I made a new friend who was constantly attached to my hip. Her name is Rebeca (Rebe for short) and she is 10 years old. She and her younger sister Abigail live here in the house with their grandparents where they receive an immense amount of love, care, and biblical instruction. However, the family remains to be broken: their parents have been divorced and Rebe has basically become the mother-figure for Abigail. Their father lives a couple hours away and loves them dearly, but simply cannot care for them on his own. Their mother is very close, but she only stops by every so often to give them candy and a few moments of affection before she leaves again.
After a few days I thought Rebeca’s affection for me would wear off with time (maybe when she realized that I’m not always that fun), but she has continued to stay by my side nearly every moment possible. It wasn’t until today that I realized how much our relationship wasn’t really about me, but about her desperation for a childhood of her own – for the freedom to act like a child and have someone close to her age to love her, support her, care for her, and simply play with her.
Today we were teaching all of the kids a skit for the Anniversary and I noticed that Rebe was acting a little differently, so I took her outside to talk to me. She kept trying to tell me everything was fine, but after about two minutes, she completely broke down. She fell into my arms and began to sob uncontrollably. My pants and my shirt had become completely soaked from her tears, and my heart continued to break for her as the minutes passed by. I asked her what was wrong and she finally took a breath, looked up at me and said, “He’s not here. My daddy’s not here.”
I knew at that moment that this sweet child was holding the weight of the world on her shoulders and she was desperate for a release. As I held her in my arms, I wanted to give her every blessing that I had as a child. I wanted to give her a home filled with love, comfort, peace, and safety just like I was given. I had spent the past three weeks sharing every small part of my life with Rebe. Anything I had in my pack, she was free to rummage through and explore. I never had personal space or personal time from her, and it never seemed to bother me, but now nothing was enough. Nothing I could give her or say to her seemed sufficient for easing her pain, but I had to at least try. I prayed over her and spoke truth into her life as I continued to hold her tightly. Then we wiped away her tears and got back up again.
Rebe & Eunice, her best friend
I thought of the night when Rebe and Cynthia slept in bed with me. The whole night she held her sister and wrapped her arms around her, but I wondered who would be there to wrap their arms around Rebe when I left. I knew that her grandparents were taking good care of her, but I wanted to tell her every day how incredible she was. I wanted tell her in more than a letter that she was the little sister I never had. I wanted to remind her every day that where our Earthly families may fail us, our perfect Father will always prevail.
Throughout the years I’ve met hundreds of kids around the world that I will never forget, but Rebe will truly always have a special place in my heart. I will never forget the way she taught me to love unconditionally and the way she always cared for others, even when things were so difficult for her.
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate."
Psalm 127:3-5
