After we arrived in Malay Balay, it did not take long for Gege and I to become friends. At nine years old, she is the oldest girl living in the children’s home. Since I was basically always in the baby room, Gege would come in and keep me company. She would help me make the bottles, change their clothes, get the diapers, and so on. And when the babies were sleeping, she would come into the room and we would talk, color, or even watch a movie on my laptop.
As I spent time with Gege, I saw how she is exactly like any other nine year old girl. She loves to sing and dance. She loves to color. She loves to watch movies. She loves Elf and Finding Nemo. She loves to read stories. Shes loved going to the water park, going down the slides, and learning to swim.
My heart broke for Gege. Even though she is blessed to be in the wonderful home she is in, she still does not have a real family. She told me about what she remembered of her real mother, how she hasn’t seen her since she was six. She told me about her old room, her bed, and her dog. And I could see in her eyes how much she missed those things. I could see how badly she wants real parents again.
When it started to get close to time for us to leave, she began to beg me not to go. “Ah teh Kelly (which means big sister), do not leave me!” she would say over and over. I started to feel guilty. We come for a month, play with the kids, let them get attached to us, and then we leave. Another abandonment. Another heartbreak for kids who have already been through so much.
The day we left, I wrote her a note. I told her that I loved her, that I would pray for her. That she is such a special, smart, fun girl. That she is so loved by Jesus. I hugged her goodbye. She started to cry. I started to cry. I got on the bus and waved to her. As we drove away, I felt a deep sadness. Not for me. But for Gege. I get to go home in less than a month to a real familly. I grew up with parents who love God and love me unconditionally. And Gege wants those same things, but she may never get them. Statistically, I know that since she is nine years old, her chances of getting adopted are much slimmer. And even though she is very well cared for where she is, she may never get the real home she desires.
As we drove away, these thoughts flooded my mind, and I prayed for Gege. I prayed that she would be adopted by parents who love God and love her. I begged God to send her a real family. But as I prayed, I was reminded that if I believe that God is all-satisfying, that means He is all-satisfying for Gege. That means that even if she is never adopted, Jesus can and will satisfy her. He will be her father. He longs to be her father. So I prayed that she would come to know Jesus deeply and intimately. That she would become a godly woman who is passionately in love with her heavenly father. Because she knows that, even if others left her, He NEVER abandoned her. He was always right there, holding her close.
