As much as I’d love to have something insightful and awe-inspiring in this blog, alas, I’m going to give you an update:
For the past two months we’ve been working with Sarah’s Covenant Homes here in Hyderabad, India. Sarah’s consists of 4 homes that house a variety of special needs children; my girls and I help with Daycare in the mornings and then spend 1 on 1 time with several children in the evening teaching them the alphabet, sign language, correct ways to play, and somedays just plain old cuddles and love. Quite literally I get to love on kids all day.
My first little girl is named Abigail, she’s got severe Cerebral Palsy (CP). She is 5 years old and has the most joyful giggle I’ve ever heard, and a smile that melts my heart! Abigail is a tiny 5, she’s thin, but eats pretty well. She gets these looks on her face like she knows what’s going on and then it leaves and she’s stuck. Every day I get her, kiss her little cheeks and pray over her. Then we begin with stretching. Because her limbs are so stiff she can’t walk or even really sit up properly so that’s what she and I have been working on, keeping her head up when she sits. She makes sounds, so I’ve been trying to teach her to mimic and we’ve gotten the “B” sound down! It was a great victory the day she said “Buh!” I screamed and cried!. My prayer for Abigail is that someday her mind will be free and she can think a full thought and be able to speak that beautiful mind of hers.
My next little one is named Patrick. He’s a chubby little guy who loves to cuddle and play drums, kind of at the same time. (Been hit more than once in the face with a drum stick 🙂 ) He’s got clubbed feet and one of his eyes turn it. He’s got a slight palsy in his face so when he smiles or cries, it’s only on half his face. In looking at old photos the fact that this little guy is chubby is a miracle. He arrived at SCH severely malnourished and dangerously thin. It’s taken a little over a year to get him to this point, but man, is he a cutie! We work on playing and using his limbs. I give him tummy time a few times during our 1 on 1’s and the other day he flipped from his tummy to his back, which is HUGE for him! We also play drums and he’s learned how to “scooch” around, which is the cutest thing in the world! Please remember him in prayer, he was admitted to the hospital yesterday with seizures and he’s in ICU now. When I hear more I will let you know.
My other little guy is Daylan. He is eight years old and has spastic CP. He rolls as his form of mobile movement, and is the joy of my day. He’s a smart little guy who loves going outside, reading and playing. He has little control over his limbs, so we do focused games that work with dexterity and concentrated movements. He is so full of life and kindness, but as any boy, he’s a little stinker sometimes. The other day I was praying over Abigail and he rolled over, I looked at him and asked if he wanted to help me pray. He put his little hand on her and I prayed. When I said “Amen.” He smiled and rolled back over to his toys, I on the other hand stared in awe. He’s a joy and has stolen my heart.
My last guy is precious. His name is Thomas and I’m not sure of his diagnosis. He is completely immobile, non-verbal and had to eat through a feeding tube. We spend time each day stretching and chatting, mainly me to him, but he’s a great listener. He knows my face now, so when I come in, I smile really big and kiss him on the cheeks, he smiles back and then we get to work. He drools, coughs and sometimes drips snot on me, but I love him, and somehow, I don’t mind. I think about how when we get to heaven, I’ll finally hear what his voice sounds like, and I’ll see him walk and laugh and be whole. It will be a great day! I’ve asked him to come find me when we get to heaven, so that I’ll know.
It’s hard to describe in words what’s going on in my heart here. It’s hard, and wonderful. Worth fighting for, and some days I want to throw in the towel and stay in bed. Yet in Matthew 25:40
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
The insight I have is that working with special needs children seems to level the playing field every time. I walk in with no problems, I can walk, talk, communicate, and for all intents and purposes, I’m independent. So you would think walking into the room I’d know what to do. I don’t. I pray ALL THE TIME. I’m seriously at a loss for what to do and God is so faithful to help. These little ones bring me to place where I come to them to get them to me. Abigail can’t talk, so we make sounds. Patrick can’t play, so we play together. Daylan can’t walk, so he leans on me. Thomas can’t move, so we move together. I’ve learned more about God’s patience with me, than I ever thought possible.
Thanks for reading everyone!
