Love unspoken. - Explore Archived World Race Alumni Blogs

I have never felt more loved than I did during my time in India. Walking
through the gates at Sarah’s Covenant Home each morning, welcomed by hugs,
kisses and sometimes face pinches (normal to the Indian culture) by the
“Ayaas”, who are equivalent to house mothers. Next are squeals from non-verbal
children, attacks of hugs and children attaching themselves to whichever part
of you they can grab holt of, out of sheer excitement . . to see you, to see me, to see anyone. No
words can describe the feeling of sitting with a child who is bed-ridden each
day of their life due to Cerebral Palsy or paralysis, as they are looking up at
you with a glimmer in their eye and a mouth wide-open smile on their face, not
able to say a word. Or when a child who is blind jumps, laughs and smiles at the mere sound of your voice calling their name. Even without words, you can know. You know that while they
may not be able to physically do
much, they can love. They love without reservations, and no matter how horrible
the things they have been through in their short pasts, or the battles they
fight each day are, they remain joyful.

Each of these 82 children has a unique story, just like you
and I. Their stories have something in common though. They have been rejected by
their families and society, due to the unfortunate beliefs of the Hindu
religion. If someone is born with special needs, physical or mental, they are
believed to have done something in their past life to deserve it. Therefore, they
are seen by their families as a curse. What do you do about a curse? You try to
get rid of it, and that’s exactly what most of these children’s families did
with them. They got rid of them. They put them on temple steps, in cemeteries, in train stations, at hospitals, wherever they could in order to “get rid of the curse”. From there, the children are usually
taken to government orphanages, if they survive. Don’t be fooled though, because the conditions of the orphanages are not much better. Here too, they also face rejection.

Sarah, who began Sarah’s Covenant Home only three short
years ago, stays in contact with the government orphanages, and accepts any
child with disabilities who comes through. Her children have been known to do 180 degree turns, in terms of health, after entering her home, due to appropriate care and attention. Children who had no hair, do now, after being nourished properly. Children receive simple surgeries, completely reversing their inability to function. Children can now hear after receiving hearing aids. Children are attending school for the first time, and excelling. It’s not as easy at it sounds
though, because it takes a lot of money and a whole lot of faith. Caring for a
child with disabilities is a life-long expense. Unlike an able-bodied child,
some never grow out of diapers or needing Pediasure. They need medication for
life. It is expensive for one child, not to mention, 80+. This ministry is run
by faith through and through, and no matter how tough times get, God always
provides for their needs. I was inspired by the faith present in this place
throughout the month, and my eyes were opened to just how vital the “little
things” are, but also how quickly they can add up.

It was a blessing to have the opportunity to spend a month
loving on these 82 children, and I left India with a heart to help them in
whatever way I could. As I said in my previous blog, God told me to be a voice
for them, to raise awareness to those who go unnoticed. As you are reading
this, would you do me a favor? Even more-so, do these children a favor. Don’t just scroll
over these photos. Take time to look at each of their
faces, and try to receive the joy they are emitting, because I guarantee they
would give it to you if you were there with them. I promise you will be blessed
from it. If you want to hear more of their individual stories, see more
pictures and/or video, or even sponsor a child, visit http://share11.org/.