Today I would like you to all meet Maricel.
Maricel is one of kids in the home who require special
attention. Although I don’t know the full story behind Maricel’s past, I know
that she lived on the street for years before coming to live at NFFCH and has
the physical, emotional, and mental scars to show for it.
At just about five feet tall, she is one of our smallest kids
in the home; but dental records place Maricel as sixteen years old-our oldest
female. Developmentally, however, she is much much younger. To be honest, at
first appearances, she seems like a completely normal child. Most visitors
estimate her to be about twelve years old and think that she doesn’t speak very
much English. When in reality, she is sixteen years old, and she doesn’t really
speak at all.
When I first came to NFFCH two years ago, I don’t remember
Maricel talking at all, with the
exception of nodding and shaking her head to answer questions. Oh, and
laughing. Maricel loves to laugh! A
year later, when I came to visit in October 2008, I was so encouraged by her
progress, as I noticed her using “yes” and “no” to answer questions, as well as
a few other words as well. Fast forward another year to now, and Maricel is
doing awesome! She uses a lot more words, answers questions with more than just
a “yes” or “no,” and can often be heard talking with some of our younger kids.
And she still loves to laugh!
Maricel is in our special education class at our community
school. She loves to participate and does well with her peers in that class. At
the home, she enjoys sticking close to volunteers, sitting near them and
laughing with them. She also does extremely well with our toddlers, especially
Tyra, who like to laugh and play together. She is also one of the best helpers
in the home… often choosing to participate in chores even when it isn’t her
turn.
We fully expect that Maricel will be with the NFFCH for her
entire life. With less than two years until she is considered an “adult,” along
with the fact that she carries special circumstances, it would be highly
unlikely that she would be adopted out. Knowing her circumstances, and her
needs, whether she is considered a “child” or an “adult,” we at K.I.M. have
every intention of walking through life together with Maricel. She will always
have a home at NFFCH and we feel blessed to have her here.
Please spend some time praying for Maricel this week. Pray for
her development, pray for healing of her emotional and mental scars, and pray
that we would always know how to best care for her. Please pray that no matter
what, she knows the love of a Savior.
Enjoy this week’s video of Maricel. She tends to get
camera-shy, but hopefully you are able to get a glimpse into her loveable and
genuine personality.
