Her little body shook as tears streamed down our faces. I wrapped my arms securely around her thin body and she hugged back tightly, pressing her fingertips into my shoulder blades. After minutes of sobbing, we pulled back and I placed my hand on her cheek and wiped away her tears. Her fingertips ran across my face, returning the favor. I looked into her eyes, and told her how much I love her and how beautiful she is. Even though she didn’t speak English well, her little head nodded to show understanding and she whispered in a quivering voice, “I love you”.
It’s amazing to think how quickly someone can steal your heart. Never before have I wanted to give so much to one person. I would do anything for Juljana. In fact, I would give up the Race and bring her home with me and give her the love every child deserves every single day. I don’t care that I don’t have an apartment, car or job. I would love to wake up to her smiling face, big bright eyes, and her kind heart and let her know that nothing bad could ever happen to her because I would protect her and because God loves her so much.
But I can’t take her home with me and now we have to say goodbye. She has to return to a life of extreme poverty, where her life is troublesome and full of worry. It is so obvious how much she craves love and how she doesn’t always get that at home.
But the great news is that she will get the love she needs from God because God will never leave her. I am confident in the beautiful woman He has designed Juljana to grow up to be and I am confident in His love for her. In just five days she has stolen my heart, and I know the love I have for her is a fraction of the love God has for her in her lifetime.
Juljana saying goodbye. (Photo by Kimberly Liette)
