I sat in the SCH (Sarah’s Covenant Homes) car waiting for the bus to arrive that would take me back to Hyderabad. The emotions were hitting me but laughing and talking with Hannah made a world of difference for my shattered heart. Now, one hour later I am in my bunk (thank the Lord it’s a sleeper bus!) bouncing along the rural Indian landscape. In India I’ve seen the driving to be something of ‘drive as fast as you can until you are about to hit someone or something and then slam on the brakes, and then floor it again.’ Repeat the cycle for six hours and add the obnoxious horns and that will sum up the ride to Hyderabad. But this story begins many days ago when I stepped into the SCH home still groggy and jet-lagged from my 27 hours of travel.
After taking a nap, trying to catch up on sleep, I rolled my way out of bed and wandered into the kitchen. The bright Indian sun, something I hadn’t seen in about 4 months thanks to the frigid Ohio winter I had been living in, stung my eyes but I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. ‘I can’t believe I’m finally here,’ was the only thought in my head. After three years and so many prayers and tears I was finally here.
I spent my first few days at the Hyderabad house. I loved it instantly; my heart soared looking at those precious babies. To me, this was heaven. I’m such a softy for babies and the thought of having my ‘job’ as holding and loving on these precious little ones was about as good as it could get.
Anna gave me some background about the babies and kids there and I got to meet a few of the other girls. I knew I only had a few days here before I went to Ongole so I wanted to soak up as much as I could.
There was Dahlia, a gentle little baby who was found in a dumpster, now part of a loving family.
Neveah, the spunky toddler who, even with her little legs healing and still in casts, scoots herself all over the playroom to mingle with her brothers and sisters.
There was Ruby with her big brown eyes that will melt your heart in just one glance.
And then there was Ella, the 2.8 pound bundle of love and joy. Those are just a few of the babies I had the privilege of being with during my few days in Hyderabad.
I was then off to Ongole to spend a week visiting the five homes and getting to know more of the beautiful kiddos, all of whom I plan on adopting one day once I find a house big enough for me and 120 children 😉
Riding in an auto on my way to Truth home, where I would be staying, I immediately felt at home. It’s funny how you can feel more comfortable and alive in a place you’ve spent so little time in than the place you spent your first 23 years of life.
I arrived before the boys went to school and was immediately welcomed with lots of hugs and smiles. This seemed to be the usual greeting as I made my way to each home.
Hannah, the foster mom at Truth Home, showed me around Ongole and took me to each of the houses to meet the kids. There was something new and beautiful, specific to each home. There were rambunctious yet sweet, loving pre-teen and teenage boys jumping over chairs to engulf me with a dozen hugs, the beautiful children who would look up from the physical therapy they were doing to flash the most glowing smiles you’ve ever seen, the wildly energetic girls throwing an arm around you wanting to play and everything in between. I also got to see the SCH office and meet the amazing people who make all of this possible.
I’ve never felt so much love or had my heart so filled with joy than during my time in Ongole. I knew right away that one day I would be coming back long term to serve with such an incredible ministry. I wish everyone could have the chance to come here and experience what I did; it’s life changing.
The work that SCH does and the impact they have on their children and community is focused on one simple idea. Love. We are all called to love.
Matthew 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
Some people may wonder why SCH does the work they do, how they can manage to raise over 100 children with special needs with only volunteers, without a single person on payroll. The answer is quite simple; they do it out of love. They love these children, they love this country and they love serving a God who makes it all possible because He first loved us.
