This is the first of a ‘series’ of sorts that I would like to start on my blog. I’m calling these posts Made to Mother, and hope to continue posting updates like this throughout the Race. I want to start by sharing a little about how I came up with the idea for these posts, and then I’ll introduce to you all a little boy named Mattias. I fell in love with this boy the moment that I met him, and I hope that you will too!
I have known for most of my life that I want to be a mother. When Ryan (my not-so-little younger brother) was born, I was more than happy to give up my crib and move to a giant big-girl bed to make room for the little bundle of joy that I instantly loved. As I got older, I always volunteered in the nursery at church and I considered myself to be a professional babysitter by the age of fifteen. Volunteering at a Bolivian orphanage in the summer of 2012 only opened my eyes even more to this world’s desperate need for loving mothers, and my own desire to help meet that need. It comes as no surprise that my motherly heart has thrived on the Race, as we are almost constantly surrounded by precious children – many of whom are desperate for the type of love that all little children should receive from their mothers.
So while I may not actually be a mother yet, the Lord is affirming every day that this daughter of Eve (the mother of all the living) is made to mother. I have no doubt that the Lord will use this integral part of my heart to bring Him glory in a variety of ways on the Race and for the rest of my life. He has already given me the opportunity to ‘mother’ several children this year, and as God continues to grant me the immense privilege of loving them, I would love nothing more than to share their stories with you. So without further ado, let me introduce you to Mattias.
Photo by my ridiculously talented teammate, Eva Cranford!
This little nugget is 3 years old and and was by far the youngest nino at Centro Opcion de Vida (COVi), which was Team Awaken’s first ministry partner way back in Quito, Ecuador. He came with his cousin, Carla, who was one of the sweet teenage girls that immediately befriended us ‘gringos’. Somehow between his 3-year-old Spanish and my this-is-not-my-first-language Spanish, I managed to learn bits and pieces of Mattias’ heart-breaking story.
I quickly noticed that he often mentioned several ‘padres’ (fathers) when I asked him about his family, and he didn’t have much to say about his mother. When I first met Mattias, he was painfully shy and hardly said a word to me; but after I went out of my way to shower him in love, this little angel just couldn’t stop jabbering! I managed to gather that he and Carla are currently living with their grandmother, who is probably caring for many children that are not her own. See, all of the children who attend COVi come from high-risk and very poor families and this ministry exists to prevent kids like Mattias and Carla from ending up on the streets.
Me reading to Mattias on the very first day that I met him, back when he was shy and hardly spoke a word to me!
I quickly noticed that Mattias often mentioned several ‘padres’ (fathers) when I asked him about his family, and he didn’t have much to say about his mother. When I first met Mattias, he was painfully shy and hardly said a word to me; but after I went out of my way to shower him in love, this little angel just couldn’t stop jabbering! I managed to gather that he and Carla are currently living with their grandmother, who is probably caring for many children that are not her own. See, all of the children who attend COVi come from high-risk and very poor families and this ministry exists to prevent kids like Mattias and Carla from ending up on the streets. What a privilege it was to assist them in this mission during our time in Ecuador.
Mattias’ cousin, Carla, and I acting silly for the camera.
(Photo courtesy of Eva Cranford)
Although most of my time with Mattias was spent making ‘panqueques’ (pancakes) out of mud and a bottle cap (turns out 3 year old boys in Ecuador find joy in much of the same things that American boys do!), I learned so much from ‘mothering’ this sweet child. He taught me how to find real joy in the simplest of things, like mud pies and hide-and-go-seek. He taught me that the way to bring shy little boys to life is to love them – unconditionally and in the way that makes sense to them, like rocking him to sleep while the older kids listen to a Bible story. Finally, he reminded me of a deal that I made with God a long time ago – that somehow, someway…I WILL have a Hispanic little boy who calls me Mommy. 😉
The perfect summation of ‘panqueques’ plus tickles.
My favorite view from our month in Ecuador.
With love and wanderlust,
Cassady
“All women are not mothers, but all women are called to mother. To mother is to nurture, to train, to educate, to rear. As daughters of Eve, all women are uniquely gifted to help others in their lives become more of who they truly are – to encourage, nurture, and mother them toward their true selves. In doing this, women partner with Christ in the vital mission of bringing forth life… The impact on a life that has been seen and called out is dramatic and eternal. The nurturing of life is a high and holy calling. And as a woman, it is yours. Yes, it takes many shapes and has a myriad of faces. Yes, men are called to this as well. But uniquely and deeply, this calling makes up part of the very fiber of a woman’s soul- the calling to mother.”
(Captivating: Unveiling the Mystery of a Woman’s Soul)
