The Reason I’m Here

The last village we visited in India was not like the others. We spent three weeks in different homes being amazed by the family life of Covenant Children’s Homes. Not only were these kids getting an English education, food in the bellies and a roof over their heads; they were also getting love and discipleship from a healthy Christian family. The situation was the same for the other team that was doing exactly what we were. Another four amazing homes.

We knew going to our last home that things were a little different. The pastor of the church has a day job, so there is a caretaker and his family taking care of the ten girls. And things were a little tense between the two. Our ministry contact told us they were looking for a solution, but it was still in the awkward limbo phase. Within a day, we realized that the girls were not getting the same loving family life that we had witnessed at the other homes. The girls’ life consisted of chores, school, more chores and homework. And all without any love and attention.

I quickly made it my goal to spend as much time as I possibly could with them. It meant sitting outside while they did their chores, or hanging out and doing nothing while they did homework, or dancing with them in their too little spare time. I knew the importance of what I could offer. But the spiritual atmosphere made it all the more difficult. I was worn out for no good reason. It took a good deal of willpower to get out bed. And quite frankly, that was a battle I didn’t really win the week before. But now, I knew I had to.

Five days went by, and it was time to leave. The morning we left, the girls kept their distance. They wouldn’t smile. Hurt and pain was written all over their face. My heart was breaking. Even though it was difficult to live there, I didn’t want to go. Pretty soon I was fighting tears. Gloriel told me to let it out because it would be good for the girls to see. Yeah right. Okay, so maybe she was right. And so, I cried. And then I found myself holding five girls who were also in tears. Gloriel was holding the other four. We finally pulled ourselves away and got in the van. And at that point, all I could do was pray. I trusted the girls into God’s hands. He saw and He knew and He was going to take care of them.

The good news is, we shared our that village experience with our contact. And within two days, she informed us that a new pastor would be taking over in two weeks. God really did have these girls. And now I can end India knowing that the girls will soon have a loving family and Christian discipleship.

They are the reason I’m here. I knew my one week with them made a difference.