On Tuesday October 7th we left South Africa to travel into Swaziland. The trip itself was not bad at all and after making dinner and settling down, we went to bed.
The following morning we met with Rachel, Katie, and Charmaine in order to hear about what this month will look like at El Shaddai. Charmaine is the one who founded this orphanage by God’s calling, Katie is here from the Peace Corps, and Rachel is a previous World Racer who felt called to come back to Swaziland and specifically to El Shaddai.
We were told that in the mornings we would be doing various tasks around the property (painting, chipping algae away from buildings, cleaning out food cabinets, sorting donated clothing), and in the afternoon, since there are 39 of us and 39 school aged children, we would each be paired with one of the orphans and work with them. Whether that be tutoring and helping them with their schoolwork after school, or just hanging around and playing with them. I was so excited to be able to work specifically with one of the kids for the entire month.
The next day we had to choose which child we would like to be partnered with. Some people were drawn to certain children whether because of just playing with them or because of their story. I had no one in mind and waited while others picked so that the number of options dwindled.
To be honest I wanted someone who was overlooked. Earlier in the day I had been praying about who God had already picked out for me this month, and the number five came to mind. So I looked to see who the fifth graders were.
Before long, I was partnered with a fifth grade boy that I’ll call W (we aren’t allowed to post their real names online). His description said that he was shy and quiet, but with encouragement could really open up. At chapel we had a ceremony where each child was called up and then their Racer was called up. When I met W for the first time at the ceremony his smile just reached and tugged at my heart strings. I was so happy and so was he.
During our two weeks here I know that God has placed me with W because he is often overlooked. Since he’s not one of the “cute little babies,” he can sneak by into his dorm unnoticed. But now I notice. Now I wonder where he is. He reminds me of me because I very often feel that I go unnoticed too. Because I feel that way sometimes, I love to pursue people. I love to make people feel like they are noticed, important, and loved. Because they are. Not only in the eyes of the Lord, but to me.
Which is why, God perfectly picked W out for me. He is used to being unnoticed and overlooked. But no longer will he fly under the radar.
Over the past two weeks I have tried to pursue W as much as possible. I’ve played soccer with him, had him write down answers to questions I had to get to know him better, and just tried to love him as much as possible. At first, he would just stay in his dorm and I had to literally stand at the door and call him out to me.
Now, he runs up to me and hugs me. It is so beautiful to see such a transformation. From a quiet 12-year-old boy who hid away in the rooms away from everyone, to a 12-year-old boy with a beautiful smile, running after me simply because I ran after him first.
What a picture of the gospel – we love Jesus because He first loved us. We were orphans and He chose us. It is so easy to just slip by under the radar in life and just be like everyone else. But Jesus doesn’t overlook anyone. He sees us all and He pursues us all, reminding us that we are important to Him. And because He ran after us first, we start running after Him.
Please pray that I can continue to come up with creative ways to pursue getting to know W and show him love.
There are sponsorship opportunities at El Shaddai which we as a Squad are trying to figure out so we can better post information about that. As soon as I have that information, I’ll be posting again!
