Driving up the dusty road to
CICRIN orphanage
Approaching the living quarters…such a precious site!
Amalia and I the morning we left…she is one of the most darling little girls ever! I never before felt like I had a heart for adoption until I came to this orphanage, now my heart is wide open for it!!
I felt like my heart was ripped out of me the morning we had to say goodbye to these precious children and to the church family that I feel very much a part of! They welcomed us with open arms and open hearts, and we did the same- right from day one. God supernaturally bonded us all together with His love for each other. I don’t know how to explain to you how deep the love I have for these children at CICRIN orphanage and for my family at Centro Christiano de Ometepe is! I have been praying for a compassionate heart, to have the heart of Jesus Christ and to be able to see people through His eyes…and I know He is doing an incredible work in my heart- I can feel it- and I know this deep love I have for these people is not from me!!
I felt such deep emotions when it came time to say goodbye- so much joy and my heart so full of love for this place and for the precious time we had with them, and yet so full of heartbreak at having to leave. I could not stop the tears that came from the deep emotions inside! I didn’t want to let go of these dear children or to no longer wake up and see their smiling faces at breakfast or have them come running and jumping on my back and in to my arms! I told the Lord, “there is no way I can keep doing this all year!! I want to give all I have in every place I go, but I can’t keep getting connected like this (or like with Carlos and his family in Mexico(, then having to say goodbye.” Chad told me that the Lord still has them in His arms, and He will continue to take care of them. God also spoke to me that, “You are right, you can’t do this on your own b/c you don’t have that much love and compassion in yourself, but through me you can continue to open up and love with My heart each person and each place that I take you!” We can’t be afraid to love and therefore hold back, love is made to be given away- that is when you see the power of it! Helen told us that she could see the difference we made in the lives of these children in the month we were here, that why it was so hard for them to have us leave, it was so important that we had come and modeled to them Christ’s love.
Love knows no language barrier! We were able to speak words of life into them that they desperately need to hear – one of the girls I was telling how beautiful and special she is, but she just kept shaking her head no in disbelief! It broke my heart realizing that some of them feel like just another child b/c they live in such a big community, they so desperately need the individual attention and to know how precious they are just for being them! I know that God called us all the way from the USA just to love them and show them how valuable and precious they are to Him!
Ami is a tia/aunt at the orphanage- we became very close and the night we had to say goodbye, she had me write her a note in the front of her Bible! That was SO touching to me as I know my Bible is my most treasured posession. A number of the adults from the church had us write our names on their Bible covers so that they would remember to pray for us- wow!!
Hosiel – one of the workers at the orphanage we b/c close with. He doesn’t own a Bible and has not yet made a decision to accept Christ and to have a personal relationship with Him. We were able to bless him with a Bible (they aren’t available to purchase anywhere on the island, so you have to make a trip across the ferry and into town to buy one…he had been working and saving up for one(. The day we left, as I hugged him goodbye, I told him once again the importance of having a relationship with Christ and that it was the most important decision of his entire life…he started to cry and said that he had started reading his Bible, but still wasn’t ready to make that decision. He has just started getting involved with the church over the past 2 mos, please pray for his salvation!
Hildin– he is the closest male role model these kids have
He has his own family, but he comes to work on construction at the orphanage each day, is very involved with the church, and loves on the kids at the orphanage. He is a strong man of God and has such a tender heart! I loved working beside him doing construction, and learning from the example of his life!
Moses– He grew up at a nearby orphanage, but was taken in by the pastor’s family as their 8th child. He speaks some English, Leah and I were able to b/c good friends with him. He has a heart for ministry and to b/c a doctor one day!
Osmar – He is a 15 yr old who is so passionate for the Lord! The first cell group I got to attend, he was the leader of- I was amazed and encouraged by his discipline, obedience, humbleness, and zeal for the Lord! He was calling his peers to step it up in their love, devotion and boldness for God, to have a greater heart for evangelism! He and his 2 siblings (Christian and Kayla( come from a fatherless home, and their mother lives on the streets…yet they are 3 of the most well-behaved and sweetest children, they have chosen to make a different path for their lives. They would have every excuse, we might think, to blame their past and to be bitter or rebellious, but instead they have all chosen to let God have their hearts and their lives…so they are walking with him and choosing to walk in life and love!
Pastor Miguel, Ruth, Jose Luis, Rikal and Katherine
They have 7 children -and Moses- and have such a heart for their community, church family and the Lord! They are filled with joy and energy. Their home has no windows and no doors- so neat to see how their home was such a gathering place where people felt welcome and loved!
Ana, Kristian, Cindy – scrubbing laundry is a lot of work and a constant chore that these kids do without complaining…though they loved our help and were quick to turn it over to us when we volunteered!
Workday at church with some of the ladies!!
Cindy, Kristian, Amalia at church
Teaching Sunday School- We sang some Spanish kids songs, taught the story of David and Goliath – first read it in Spanish and acted it out, then gave them the chance to do the same…they loved it!- taught a memory verse, then made cross neclaces with them out of nails and wire
A glimpse for you of the beautiful island of Ometepe, and most importantly the lives of just a few of the people that I have fallen in love with! Pray about where God might want to use you and what lives you can pour in to…CICRIN would LOVE to have you come- the only things you need to bring are: a heart that is open and full of love, arms ready to hold children and give lots of hugs, legs ready to run and play, and hands willing to serve!
The media team is putting together a video about CICRIN with some words from Helen, the director, keep checking youtube for that update!!
