Wednesday, September 28, 2011 started out just like any
other day. I woke up and listened to some worship music, prayed a little, read
my devotional and got ready for the day. We were headed off to the Special Kids’
School. Our students had visited Monday and really enjoyed it. I myself was a
little nervous. God is really challenging me in this season to lay aside my preconceptions
and personal challenges to minister to His children. First at the elderly home
and now at the school.
I have always struggled with knowing how to interact with
special kids. At the core, I knew in my head they are just like any other nino
and just need love. But my flesh always gets in the way. Part of me feels
guilty for having used the unfortunately popular 90s saying “That’s retarded”
for FAR too long. Part of me just feels uncomfortable because I have such
little experience in this area. And part of me starts to question God’s
goodness: where does being created in His image come into this picture? I know
that each of these precious children is created by God and His heart is for
them, but how does a good God let His children go through life already
struggling from birth because of physical or mental challenges?
(Once again, no answers to this last question…more wrestling…)
As we walked in to the school, one little girl gave each of
us a hug and a kiss. She was so excited we were there, it got me more excited
to be there. Our students quickly dispersed, finding their amigos from Monday’s
visit. I just stood around awkwardly until a little boy grabbed my hand and
brought me to another little boy who was sitting down, crying. I said Hello, what’s
your name? The first boy answered for him-it sounded something like Hi-knee…
maybe Jaime? No se… I’ll call him Jaime. But I went ahead and sat down.
Jaime put his hand on my knee. From a conversation with the
other girls after Monday, I understood this is frequently a symbol that they
want to sit closer. So I scooted a little closer. He laid his head on my knee
and continued to cry a little bit.
In this moment, my heart shattered. Here I was, confused and
uncomfortable, and this little boy, who had just met me, is trusting me
immediately to comfort him. My eyes filled with tears at this simple gesture
and I sat there for a minute. 
Was it really that simple? I say it all the time, but was it
that simple just to literally be God’s hands in this moment and comfort this
boy? Not to say ANYTHING, but just be someone for him to feel loved by?
distract him, I let him play with my camera. Here are a few of the choice
pictures! Enjoy.
