In this orphans eyes
In this orphan’s eyes there are dirt roads, ones by which people come and go.
In this orphan’s eyes there are those who love and those who hurt.
In this orphan’s eyes there is fear of the night.
In this orphan’s eyes there are wealthy people with nice clothes.
In this orphan’s eyes there is possibility of hope.
In this orphan’s eyes there is possibility of a future.
I am in this orphan’s eyes.
What does he see when he sees me?
El Shaddai Minisrty
A few weeks ago we arrived at El Shaddai ministry. El Shaddai cares for 84 children from toddlers to university students. El Shaddai Ministries is a safe haven for children who have been orphaned, abused, neglected, or abandoned. Providing a loving and Jesus-centered environment for children to live, learn, and grow in, El Shaddai Ministries seeks to raise up leaders who will build a brighter future for the next generations of Swaziland. Every child has been paired with one world racer that gets to pour into that child and play with them for a month. My child’s name is David and he is 8 years old. He is a very intelligent child who is reading the same thick books some of the high school students are reading. He is the life of the party. Within the first week he knew almost our entire squad (that’s 54 people). He is a very curious guy who is very opinionated about what he thinks about the NIV version of the bible. I’ve enjoyed getting to know him, reading with him, playing games with him and even just sitting with him. Many of these children have behavioral problems or issues with discipline because they don’t have the individual attention they need. Some completely ignore and leave their buddies (maybe because they are afraid of getting close or maybe because they don’t have interest in them). Some of them act out in anger because they don’t understand how to control their emotions. No one was a good example to them. Some anger could come out of not being held enough as a child. Children’s brains don’t form correctly when they don’t have the love, nurture and nutrition they need. One of the young girls I held was upset at a boy who took something from her and began to cry. Her tears were yellow. I don’t know what yellow tear indicate. Maybe something to do with her liver? The children only have so many options and health many times takes a back seat after other basic needs.
This month I’ve been learning how to love out of Christ and not out of myself because I’ve been running dry. These kids need to know that they are loved. They need constant care and attention, which sometimes can be extremely tiring. We eat peanut butter and jelly every day for lunch and some kind of rice or pasta for dinner. There is no options really. So I’ve been learning to surrender what I would prefer to eat and learning to be extremely grateful for whatever food I receive. God is good. He is doing great things. I’ve been helping the Director of El Shaddai with creating brochures, business cards and trifolds. It’s been wonderful being able to do what I love and also help a ministry that really needs it.
Prayer Request:
Team Unity
Funds for the children’s shoes
Energy
