We have a detailed schedule for the month. There are a few different things on our schedule….lots of preaching at special meetings, a few days of kids camp at local churches, a couple days of teaching at a Bible college, and one evening of orphan ministry – the one that really stood out to me upon looking at the schedule.
This evening was our scheduled orphan ministry. We had the morning off and an opportunity to head into town to use the internet. Even though I was excited for orphan ministry I wasn’t really thinking about. My mind was pretty focused on the things I needed to get done, for the squad and personally, when I had my chance to be online. I didn’t get everything done that I needed to, so even after we left, my mind was a little distracted by these things.
We got home and had our scheduled tea and snack time. Towards the end Tim shared what was asked of us for the evening…to teach a couple of English action songs, and share a short message of hope for the children, then we would eat dinner with them. He asked if anyone had anything they wanted to share. Nothing came to mind for anyone.
We walked into the church where we found about 20 children waiting for us. They were dressed well and smiling at us as we arrived. A couple of the children stood out to me as I looked over the audience. They looked like they were hurting behind the mask of a smile.
We began by singing a few songs. Then Pastor Albert told us he would have each child stand while he briefly told us their story. He started with the first little boy. His father killed himself 3 years ago and his mother is unable to support her children on her meager wage so the church helps them with food and school sponsorship. The second or third little boy had a similar story. My heart began to break and I just wanted to hug and pray for these precious children ministering the Father’s love to them. One by one we heard their stories, most of them including their father’s deaths from suicide or illness. For some of them it was the loss of their mother. For a couple, they have both parents, their families are just too poor to support them so the church is helping.
About 2/3 of the way through a girl who had already had her story shared started crying. Bonnie went over and began to comfort her. It was beautiful. She lost her mother when she was 1 and ½ years old. Pastor’s wife shared with us that she does very well in school and is very active, but whenever anyone talks about her mother she begins to cry. At this point I am in some serious pain and asking Holy Spirit what He wants to do to make this better. It is not okay with me that these children are in so much pain from the loss in their lives.
When Pastor finished sharing the children’s stories, Jasmin began to worship and the rest of us began to pray for the children. Many of them were so stiff and seemed shy and uncomfortable when we first began to pray for them. So many of them so young and with such loss in their lives. It was a beautiful time. The only solution to such pain and suffering is Jesus and the love, joy, peace, comfort, and relationship He brings.
