I walked into the home and asked Mme, the house mother, how I could help with lunch. She spoke little English but gestured towards the living room area. I walked through a sea of expectant eyes standing at the threshold of the kitchen, eagerly awaiting their papa and milk. That’s when I saw him beckoning me for assistance. I walked over to two stacked plastic tables and eight plastic chairs and understood his meaning – These were for the children to use for meal time. As I moved the tables, he lifted each chair to hand to the waiting children, ushering them to take their seat. Once they had all sat down he took his place and, again, made eye contact.
“Good” his eyes seemed to say as I brought over the tray of bowls. I lifted two larger dishes and a smile crossed his face. I laughed out loud at how apparent it was that I had little idea of what to do with the seemingly misplaced bowls. He came to me and placed the bowls in front of their respective owners, and began to help me pass out the rest. Once everyone had began to eat, a little one started to fuss. Mme came into the room and spoon fed while I held an infant in my arms. There was a brief moment of peace before he placed his hand on my arm and moved a little red chair in front of me. Another sweet child needed to be spoon fed, so as I bounced a babe in one arm and I patiently scooped up the papa with my other. Noise filled the room, but when I looked around I lost sight of him, my helper! Just then he came out of the bathroom with a wet cloth. He wiped faces and hands the best he could, collected dishes, and gave me an encouraging pat on the arm.
At this point I was in awe.
At this point my heart ached.
At this point I looked into his little three year old eyes and wondered, why did this broken world let you grow up so fast?
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This week I am working at Beautiful Gate orphanage, and even though I can see how great these children are taken care of, my heart still breaks. Left with little or no family, abandoned or left to die, these sweet angels are in need of homes that can give them the love and attention every child deserves.
Please pray for these beautiful children, and pray for the hearts that are considering adoption around the world – That the Holy Spirit will move any obstical (money, red tape, etc.) so that kids in need of a loving home will someday find it.
“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and oppressed.” Psalm 82:3
