"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you." (James 1:27 NLT)
As you know, I have been ministering here in Chimaltenango, Guatemala at an orphanage called Los Gozosos which means Joy-Filled. This place is nothing less than joy filled.
The orphan girls here are constantly laughing, and always wanting your attention. They call everyone "momma"… even me.
All of the orphans love to clap, sing, and dance.
My newest best friend is Lyla, pronounced "Lee-luh." Lyla is a very sweet little girl who has begun to sit in my lap after every meal.
Lyla is 12 years old, and she doesn't talk much because of her disorder – Aphasia. Aphasia was caused by her being hit on the head while she was little. Her mother abandoned her at an orphanage when she was little and has not been found since. She cannot remember words, talk or write because of this disorder. She knows the word "hola", "good", "bueno", and that is about it. You can see from her facial expressions that she has so much more to say, and I want to speak with her!
This is taken from the Los Gozosos website, "[Lyla] came to us extremely violent, often hysterical and prone to violent tantrums, only speaking one syllable and unresponsive to verbal instructions. With us she is very intelligent, very obedient, loves to help and to learn new things. She is doing well in school and talking constantly – mostly babble – but weekly she says something new and clearly understandable."
She is the sweetest little orphan girl.
Last night when we were singing and worshiping in the living room she came over and sat in my lap. She pulled my head down and she kissed me on the cheek.
She would stare at me as I sang and I could tell that she had something to say. Since she couldn't speak, she would pull my head down again and kiss me on the cheek. Then she would just smile and turn around.
Yeah, I am already attached and I don't know how I am supposed to leave her behind in 25 days. Can she just fit in my pack or what?
As I was singing and praying with my team later on that night, I just broke down into tears. I love Lyla.
