It's noisy, hot, with crowded streets, and everything is way too spicy for me, but as my journey comes to an end I soak up these beautiful moments. I am in India where the culture is completely different and the people have beautiful smiles. It's been challenging but I'm learning to integrate myself. I eat with my hands and as a woman I am completely covered whenever we leave the house, even my ankles must be hidden. It is different but I can't imagine ending the Race any other way. This month I'm working with an organization called Sarah's Covenant Home (SCH). Sarah Rebbavarapu founded SCH in 2009 and now houses over 100 special needs children. However within this last year a wonderful change has taken place. Instead of housing the children in one big building, today there are 5 different homes. This allows for each child to receive the attention, love and space they need. But renovation is still being done. Our team has been painting every morning bringing life into the children's rooms. Other buildings are still in need of more beds and basic furnishings but the volunteers who work here are amazing and they make what they have work. Right now SCH has around 15 American volunteers serving in the office or have become foster moms to these beautiful children. I love seeing how God has changed the lives of hundreds of people through Sarah's obedience of just saying yes. SCH is a powerhouse organization and God is doing amazing things through it. I feel so blessed to be here! In the afternoons I work with 10 children ranging anywhere from 4-13 years old. Some have cerebral palsy, others are blind or deaf, many have cognitive impairments but they are each amazing. Everyday I get to finger-paint with them, do their physical therapy, play, laugh and dance with them. And as I look into their big eyes I thank God for rescuing them. Before SCH these children were found on the streets, abandoned by their parents, left to die or in a government orphanage. My team and I have heard horror stories of these government orphanages. For special needs children it is a place where they fend for themselves and most are never touched or cared for. I can't hardly fathom the idea of these children in an orphanage like that. The children I work with now laugh and play all day long and are filled with so much love it pours out of their little smiles.
.jpeg&maxwidth=640)
(Picture Above: Dinah is 5 years old and has the sweetest hugs. She is making some amazing progress.)
Today I worked with a little boy named David. We worked all day on his walking. He takes a few steps and then he'll look up at me, smile and then plop right back down on the floor. He gets frustrated, before coming to SCH no one had ever worked with him on walking. He doesn't see the point, yet. He doesn't realize that if he keeps pushing through someday he'll be able to run, jump, and be independent. There is so much more waiting for him if he only perseveres. I want him to walk so badly, I believe in him, therefore I'll keep working with him until the day I leave. Somedays I am David. God gives me something because He knows I will benefit from it but instead of walking through it one step at a time I give up. I either just want the final result and I'm not willing to put the work in so I get frustrated or I don't trust that it is good for me and I give up, plopping right back down on the floor. I can't see that there is so much more waiting for me, that He believes in me and is cheering me on with every step I take. Through our endurance in Christ we are made complete. I look at David sitting on the floor and I smile back at him. I know someday he will walk because even though he doesn't enjoy practicing he never completely gives up. I reach down and he puts his small little hand in mine. I'm not giving up on David no matter how many times he falls down just like God will never give up on me. He continues to pick me up off the floor and I take another step into the life that is waiting for me.
.jpeg&maxwidth=640)
(Picture Above: This little girl's name is Molly. She is seven years old and has spastic cerebral palsy. She loves being sat up so she can play and giggle with the other children. She is very social and has a great imagination.)
To help, donate or learn more about the organization or all of the children go to http://www.schindia.com/
