We’re in Swaziland. We do ministry at AIM’s (Adventures In Missions) carepoints. Carepoints are a place a community has set aside for AIM so that AIM can help them. The carepoints have a ‘shepherd’ who organizes games and Bible lessons for the kids, and Gogos who cook meals.
I met Cishay and Bashay on our first day of ministry. The first few days the twins wouldn’t talk and didn’t really come near us. That changed when Cishay tripped one day and started crying. I scooped her up and comforted her until she fell asleep in my arms.
Since then, Cishay has been my constant shadow. She talks to me in Siswati even though she knows I can’t understand her. She always wants me to carry her. She laughs when I give her piggy back rides.
Through all of her affection I can see signs of neglect. She pushes and hits when other kids want to hold my hand or hang off of me like a human jungle gym. She makes sure to spread all her limbs out when sitting on my lap so other kids can’t sit too.
We were told that many of the kids don’t get parental affection at home for various reasons. So, for a lot of kids, we’re the only people who hug, carry, and play with the kids. It breaks my heart to she that so clearly in Cishay. She’s so terrified that I’ll leave her that she acts out. I’ve tried all I can to assure her that I can love her and all the other kids equally. I can have two kids on my lap, or that more than one person can hold my hands. She still doesn’t exactly understand, but she knows that I like her to be nice to all the kids. I pray that God uses my love to heal some of the hurt she’s been through.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. -John 3:16
