I looked into the big brown eyes of Ruthie. The last time I had seen her she was just a young girl, maybe 10 years old, with a short hair cut, and tattered old dress. She would run around the big old white house where she lived in Southern India, tugging on our arms saying “Akka, Akka”, trying to get our attention. She always wanted hugs, love and attention. The same thing any child would want, the same things I yearn for from THE FATHER.
Now 5 years later she was a young woman, mature, and a bit more independent. Some things hadn’t changed like her beautiful dark brown skin, or her love of tugging on our arms saying “My Akka” akka meaning sister in Telugu. But seeing her face reminded me that GOD had saw fit to not only bring me back to India 5 years later, but also allowed me to visit the same ministry that started my Race, Sarah’s Covenant Homes. This revelation shook me to my core, and I was moved to gratitude.
“Why am I back here GOD? What do I need to learn from this”?
These questions swirled in my head, as I watched them laugh and play; singing and clapping to worship songs with the team of girls from world race who had been there for the month. We had an awesome day, and I felt a release of tension in my chest as I eased back into the role of ministry with special needs children in India. Towards the end of our time there the team gathered all the kids into a circle, I looked on curious as to what would be coming next, and then as someone stood up and began walking around the circle I realized that it was
Duck Duck Goose.
Now let me paint a picture for you, because normally a group of 8-16 year old girls playing a game together is not very noteworthy. However these ladies range in diagnosis from having cerebral palsy, to being immobile. In my heart I wondered “How in the world are these girls, half of whom cannot walk, going to play duck duck goose”?. The game started with a few of the girls from the team tagging some of the older mobile girls. I watched in delight as they chased the racers around the circle, with the biggest smiles on their face. And then the most beautiful thing happened,
Everyone got involved…
And now there were immobile girls being tagged in, some who sit in permanent crossed leg positions, others who can only travel by wheelchair. Those who could not run, would scoot across the floor, and those who could not scoot were picked up and carried around the circle by staff workers and racers. The girls screamed in excitement, as they recognized that although they could not walk like some of the others they were in the game, playing just like everyone else.
I sat there with tears in my eyes, heart incredibly full, that JESUS had brung me back to this ministry 5 years later, to witness the sacrifice, love and amazement in a game of Duck Duck Goose with some beautiful orphans. Watching the young women carry their sisters, and the joy that resonated in the room from everyone being able to play the game reminded me of how GOD uses just the littlest things sometimes to help us love others well.
What a beautiful reminder
I challenge you to let GOD lead you in loving someone well today. Sacrifice for them, give them a smile, add joy to their lives. And remember that JESUS can and will use anything for HIS Glory and for our good.
Love,
Carmella
