It was a cool night and the rain drops were falling quickly all around us, but not as quickly as the tears from our eyes. It had been three short weeks since I said my first hello to our friends at Legacy of Hope Foundation and the goodbyes had come far too soon. I was sitting on the floor in the school with all my teammates and two of our older kids, Dyrin and Glorivel. Each of them have a different story but they have one thing in common. Their parents thought they could not take care of them for whatever reason so they chose to leave them.
I remember as a child experiencing the spirit of fear multiple times in the grocery store when I couldn’t find my mom. Of course I knew my mom hadn’t left me. All I had to do was scurry up to the service counter, tell them her name and then the whole store would know I was looking for her. Glorivel and Dyrin and so many others that I spent my time with in Honduras don’t have that option. Their parents, family or whoever was taking care of them chose to abandon them and leave them alone to fend for themselves. I’m sure they hope and pray that someone will find them and take care of them like they wish they could. As I sat there holding Glorivel that night her clench to my body was strong, her face buried in my chest, and her heart laying in my hands. It felt as though neither one of us knew what to do at that point. She didn’t want us to go, and I didn’t want to go. I did not want to leave her. After all, leaving was all this girl knew. I could not understand why anyone would want to leave these ravishing children. These beautiful blessings and gifts from God.
After about an hour of tears between all eight of my teammates and these two, Glorivel wanted to share something with us. She explained that she loved us like her family. She said that with us there it felt like a void was filled in her life. While we were with her she forgot about all the hurtful and threatening things people were saying to her prior to her arrival. It was in that moment I realized that this young woman had gone through more than I could probably imagine at such a young age. Her story was one that until that point was a dark one but I knew we were not there by chance and our time together was a divine appointment and a gift from God.
As I sat there praying for something to say to her I felt the Lord wanting me to give her my solar powered light. I resisted because I loved that thing and how it changes colors and even has what I like to call, a “disco mode” but I knew I had to obey. As I had it in my hand to give to her I felt the Lord wanted me to share a verse and a word from Him. I explained to her that this light signifies the Hope of Jesus that she carries with her everywhere she goes. I wanted it to serve as a reminder everytime she saw it and to tell herself that until she believed it in her heart. I told her that even if she were to lose that light that she still has the light of Jesus inside of her and it would never leave her. I wanted her to know that even in the darkest moments when situations seem beyond her control she can call on the name of Jesus and He is there with her. I was able to share Matthew 5:14-16,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Although I do not know if I will see Glorivel again in this lifetime I will never forget the way she loved me with no hesitation. She modeled the love of Jesus to me whether she even realized it or not. My hope is that through the guidance and love of Legacy of Hope Foundation, Glorivel will never have to think she is without hope. I know they will give her tools so that she is able to re-enter her home with a new found hope in Jesus and never letting her light go out. I love you Glorivel, thank you for all that you taught me in those three short weeks.
This is Glorivel holding Evonya. Their relationship is so beautiful. In the three weeks they’ve been together at he home, Glorivel treats Evonya like her little sister. She is very nurturing and helpful in any ways needed.
