I remember attending a teaching seminar a couple of years
ago when the speaker said, “Every child needs to know that at least one
person’s face will light up when they enter a room. For some kids, you may be
the only person.” It’s the joy of being delighted in for which we all long.
The Lord said, through the prophet
Isaiah, “No longer will you be called Deserted…
for the Lord will take delight in you (62:4).” The Lord really laid this
verse on my heart while we were in Vietnam reaching out to the prostitutes and
the abandoned children. I find my heart whispering this truth again over the
children at Happy Tree Orphanage. The Lord knows each of these precious
children by name, He thinks of them constantly, and delights in them. We are
blessed to be His hands, hugs, and smiles to show them how much He delights in
them!
This is Kita. I fell in love with
her our first afternoon at the orphanage. She is absolutely hilarious! She
loves to sing English songs like Hokey Pokey and London Bridge even though she
doesn’t really know any of the words. Everyday she finds me as soon as I enter
the building and hangs around my waist all day long. Last week we entered the
building at 2:00 as the kids are just waking up from naptime. All of the sudden
I hear, “Lisa Lisa” as I see someone waving frantically and sprinting towards
me. Instantly I know it is Kita. I spread my arms open wide as she comes
running into my embrace. I wrap my arms around her and swing her around in a
circle. She smiles and giggles loudly. At least for the moment she knows
that she is delighted in.
This is Rothana. He is thirteen years
old. He is quiet, kind-hearted, and has a beautiful smile. I spent time playing
with him our first afternoon at the orphanage. When we returned the second
time, I smiled and waved as soon as he entered the room. His face lit up as he
realized I remembered him. In that moment he is seen, known, and delighted in.
This is Toav. He is five years old.
He is so quiet; in our two weeks at the orphanage he has yet to say one word to
me. He just slips up silently beside me and reaches over and grabs my hand. As
soon as I sit down on the floor, Toav climbs unto my lap and leans back against
me. Outside, he comes again and slips his tiny hand in mine. I pick him up and
spin in circles as fast as I can. His face breaks into a huge smile. The more
we spin laughter begins to spring forth. We both laugh. Finally I hug him
tightly, kiss his cheek, and set him down watching his stagger away still
dizzy. As he zig zags side to side, he looks back over his shoulder and smiles
at me again. Once he can stand up straight, he comes to me with arms stretched
up ready to continue our game. In these moments he knows that he is enjoyed and
delighted in.
The world may look at these
children and think they are deserted, but the Lord looks at them as His
delight. This month I have the privilege to deliver that truth. Also the Lord
is opening my eyes to see that this is my heart’s joy to come along side the
orphaned, abandoned, and deserted children and to whisper His truth, “No longer
will you be called Deserted for the Lord will take delight in you.” I want to
spend my life shouting this truth from the mountaintops and lovingly whispering
it in the ears of kids as I hold them in my embrace.
