We are at an orphanage. A place where people place children that are either unwanted or are a financial burden and cannot be properly cared for at home. This place is not your typical Oliver Twist orphanage. There is nothing dark about it. It is a place full of love. The Tia’s (caregivers) are incredible women who pour love into these amazing children while also taking care of their physical needs. They are patient, kind, full of grace, compassion and love. Since getting here I have not once seen any of them get upset or frustrated with a single child. They love the unlovable, and this place overflows with it. And even though these children have all of their basic needs filled (including love, which is one of the most basic needs, and so necessary for life to grow and flourish) there is still a need for something more. The greatest dream of each and every single child here is to be part of a loving family, to be loved unconditionally, and to be wanted just as they are. No strings attached.
I have fallen in love with the children here, and to be honest up until today it has not felt like an orphanage since we got here 4 days ago.
Time to remove the blinders that I have been wearing and open my eyes to how callous and cruel the world can really be.
I find myself broken hearted and angry tonight. The administrator here was talking to our team leader Michael today and was telling him about the screening and adoption process, she told him that there has only ever been one issue with new parents. Michael asked what had happened, and was told that there was once an American couple that had adopted one of the boys here and had taken him back to the states only to send him back to the orphanage 10 days later.
Could imagine as a young child having your greatest dream come true. Your new arents come all the way to Ecuador to bring you home with them, only to decide a few days later that they do not want you. That for some reason, you are not good enough to be their son, that you are not worthy of their love.
This young boy is still at the orphanage. He is incredible. Full of laughter, joy, life, and exhausting energy. He is intelligent, personable, hilariously funny, loving and sweet hearted. He has hopes, dreams, and desires in his heart. He also lives with the knowledge that he wasn’t a good enough son, that he was not wanted.
Tears flowed freely after hearing this. Right now I am shut in my room wondering why this happens to innocent children, how cruel can this world be? But then I think of my Father’s love. How great His love is for us, and the plans that He has for us if only we would be willing to step into the fullness of what He has for us.
Romans 8:14-17
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs – heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.
Many of us live with an orphan mindset. In fact I can remember when I was living like one. Not in reality, but in spirit, in my mind I was in poverty, nothing was ever enough, and I would never be good enough. It was a pretty pitiful place to be at. But when I wasn’t walking in the fullness of who I was in Christ that’s exactly how I felt. I have since then surrendered my whole self to Jesus and am now walking in the knowledge that I am not an orphan, but a daughter. I am wanted by my Father. We all are. And He is never giving up on us.
I believe with all my heart that the Lord has an amazing plan for this child’s life, as well as all the others. They are sons and daughters, and our Father does not leave us high and dry, all we need to do is call out to Him.
Luke 18:16-17
…”Let the little children come to me, and do not forbid them; for such is the Kingdom of God. Assuredly I say to you, whomever does not receive the Kingdom of God with the heart of a child will by no means enter it.”
