In India I was given the task of showing love to a boy that is largely overlooked by the people around him. He lives in an orphanage with 70 other children, who have all been abandoned due to special needs and disabilities. There are just too many children with so many needs it’s hard to give them all one-on-one care. That is where we come in, we focus on the children that get overlooked because their needs are so great.
His name is Benjamin. Benjamin has Autism and only makes the occasional noise for communication. I was told that when he first got to Victory House (a part of Sarah’s Covenant Homes) that he was always trying to wander off, trying to escape his room and go somewhere else. Having spent time with him I can understand why.
His curiosity is endless.
To see what is beyond his four walls. To touch, smell and sometimes taste new things is what drives him. It’s hard to contain his excitement when everything is new.
The day we went to the beach he ran for the water. As the waves lapped at his legs his smile grew bigger every minute. Walking through the water, picking up handfuls of sand to feel the texture and at one point give it a taste (I was extra vigilant from then on, to make sure he didn’t get another gritty mouthful).
At one point he led me over to a group of men standing nearby. Benjamin reached his hand up slowly and gently took a pen from the closest mans shirt pocket. Catching me a little off guard and I’m sure the man as well. Yet the man allowed Benjamin to keep his prize, even though moments later as we walked away he handed it to me. He had no intent of keeping the pen only seeing what it was and how it felt.
Although his curiosity drives him forward to explore new things and see the world; there is another side to Benjamin, the gentle boy who desires to be loved.
As we drove back from the beach he would reach over and take my hand, simply holding it or placing it on his head (His way of asking you to play with his hair). Another time he sat next to me for twenty minutes being completely satisfied just relaxing together.
Though at first his desire to explore confused and frustrated me. This boy captured my heart.
I made my last deadline and I have one left. The final deadline. Here are the details of where my fundraising stands.
Funds Raised: $12,986
Needed to be fully funded: $2,823
Full fundraising needed by July 1, 2013
(All Fund amounts are based off what has actually been processed, it does not show gifts if they are still in process)
Thank you so much to all those who have supported me so far! It means so much to me to see that you are behind me in this. Your continued support through prayer and finances is greatly appreciated.
If you would like to support me click the Support Me link on the side of the page.
To all my Canadian donors: If you are writing a cheque please write it out in US funds (ex. One Hundred US dollar). As this will allow the cheques to process faster and put the exact amount into my support account.
Also AIM is not able to give tax deductable reciepts to Canadian donors.
