Ministry this month has been bittersweet. I’ve been able to use my degree, which has been so cool, but it has also brought back memories of my cousin who I didn’t realize I missed so much.
This month, we are working with Sarah’s Covenant Homes (SCH). SCH is group of homes that care for children with special needs who have been abandoned. Sarah started the home 5 years ago when she felt God calling her to adopt a child with special needs. God had a bigger plan and before she knew it she was starting a home for kids with special needs. SCH is now home to over 100 kids. The adoption process is being started for many children and Sarah has dreams and plans to build a home that will be more of a foster care like set up instead of an orphanage.
Day one at SCH was definitely overwhelming. Coming from the states, I had an expectation of what a children’s home should look like. Don’t get me wrong; the care provided at SCH is amazing compared to other places in India. It is definitely not the states though. The first few days I had to remind myself that this is so much better than what these children came from. Many were left in abandon buildings, left in the trash, left for dead. SCH loves these children and is doing everything they can to give them a good life and provide the opportunity for families to adopt them. It’s such a blessing.
As the days went by, ministry went from hard to ok to falling in love with the kids. I’ve been able to use my speech therapy degree with many of the kids. I’m working to download apps for an iPad they have. I’ve tried to show the nannies safer ways to feed the kids. I’ve played and played.
I’ve also cried. The most prevalent diagnosis at the children’s home is Cerebral Palsy. As a child, my best friend was my cousin Patrick. Patrick had cerebral palsy and intellectual disabilities. He couldn’t talk, walk, feed himself, anything. My family fed him, changed his diaper, gave him baths, everything. I loved Patrick so much though. He taught me compassion, love, and not to judge people by how they look. I would sit with him for hours and tell him all my secrets because he couldn’t tell anyone. One of my proudest memories was the day I got to feed Patrick myself. Patrick passed away when I was in middle school I think. My job has always brought back memories of Patrick. I realized this month through hanging out with kids just like Patrick how much I miss him. Patrick was a huge part of our family. These kids have the joy that Patrick had. They love to listen to music like he did. They laugh at my jokes like he did. They listen and love me just like he did.
I’m not really sure what God is showing me this month through this ministry. I’m learning so much though. I’m learning to persevere even when it gets hard. I’m learning to be grateful for the time I have with people. I’m learning again to completely depend on God.
I have fallen in love with these kids this month. I love India. I’ve been homesick. I’ve missed my cousin. I’ve been challenged and flat out tired. It’s been a bittersweet month.
