I have realized that it is in my blood to live radically.
What does this look like? Who even knows but it’s there. I do not see myself getting up in the mornings and putting on a business outfit and a pair of flats and going to work from 9-5 at a desk job. Not saying there is not a way to live radically in that atmosphere, but it is not for me. I feel like I will die with converse on my feet holding an orphan… preferably an Indian, Nepali, Gypsy, Moldovan, Swazi, Mozambican, South African, Thai, Cambodian, Australian and most likely a Malaysian as well… and well, all the rest.
Okay so get this. We taught english last month for four hours a day… teaching the tiny kids at 2pm. They were about 3-5 years old and we just went over the ABC’s and some small words. There was a little girl who sat on the very front row every day. Her hair was always in pigtails with the biggest eyes ever and the cutest dimples that you could possibly imagine. I would say in a little voice “did you do your homework” she would immediately giggle and say “nope.” We couldn’t help but laugh so hard and move on to the next. All but about five of the afternoons she would konk out right on the table and we would take her over to the hammocks where she would sleep the whole class. There was just something about her.. i just wanted to stick her in my bag and take her with me. I would get pumped before class everyday and so excited to see her little face. A couple of the kids that go to class there are orphaned but for the most part they all have families. I remember telling my teammate kat one day that I would adopt her in a hot second if I could. I also blew up the Lord and I was like dude if she’s an orphan I want her to be mine. Two nights later at dinner our contact was just chatting about the kids and he was naming off the orphans… and shes a freaking orphan. Coincidence? no. Is it possible that I could have her? Anything is possible with my God. My mom is wise and she was like “whatever God orders… he pays for.” Alright Lord do what you do and I’m willing.
There was also a little boy our first week of the race that stole my heart back in India. His name was Baskar and he was–excuse my description– taken captive by a special needs orphanage. He was 8 years old and beautiful. Most of the children there were blessed to be a part of such a safe and brilliant environment but for Baskar it was the last thing he needed. He was left at birth because he was deaf. His parents got rid of him immediately because in the culture he was seen as broken. So instead of something as simple as giving the boy love and teaching him communication, they pass him off to the sweet widows of the community that pour their lives into the least of these. So, there he was… in an environment that ultimately slowed him down instead of built him up. He is the brightest kid I have come in contact with. My favorite part of the day was when we would arrive in the mornings and chat with the ladies downstairs and like clockwork daily I would see his his cute little brown eyes and HUGE smile poking over the upstairs balcony. He was blessed to have hearing aids but it was rare that someone remembered to stick them in his ears due to the more vital needs surrounding his little life. One day I was doing office work and he snuck in with a little sny look on his face. I naturally let him in. He would take my Ipod and jam to some of the songs… with a huge grin on his face, of course. For the two weeks we were there, he was just a normal kid. He finally had people around him who could interact and play ball without getting distracted with other needs around. The first day I taught him the ‘I love you’ sign with your thumb, pointer and pinky finger… the last day when we were saying goodbye we got in the auto and he poked his little hand out the gate and made the sign and mouthed “I love you.” Broke my heart in half. The whole time all I could think was I gotta come back and steal this baby. I gotta get him out. I haven’t stopped thinking about him since. Again, the legal adoption of a kid from India is intense for overseas adoptions but the Lords will is absolutely stronger than any government or law. This truth is how I sleep at night.
In Mozambique I wanted all the street boys. Something about a little hardcore boys who think they are way more intense than they really are. They would beat eachother up all the time and act all hardcore but they would soon sneak into your lap or show you their soft side with their tears when they fall down. One of the little guys in particular I felt like he was supposed to be mine. There were the boys that everyone was drawn to.. those certain boys that everyone wanted to cram into their backpacks and steal. But this one was different. There was one day he didn’t show up and it made my stomach sick. His name was Paulo and he changed my life from day one. He had at least half a dozen seizures a day. I mentioned him a few blogs ago but he literally changed my life. He was definition of someone subconsciously searching for someone to love and nurture him. I naturally wanted to be the end of his search. It turned out that a few days before we left he left the streets and went to live with his aunt who “sent him away” months before. I seriously beg God that he is okay. This year has been so tough when I realize how often my heart is ripped up and given out across the continents… But it all goes back to my Father breathed this universe into being and His will will be done. Pumps me uppp.
I could go on and on about my experiences with orphans around the world. There was always my little girl Amanda in Swaziland that rocked my life. All the babies in swazi have the same heart wrentching story. They don’t even know what it would be like to have more than one bowl of rice a day. The cool thing is that I know that those inparticular are not the only ones that will be mine. I feel like the Lord is just going to give me kids… I don’t feel it necessary to go through a lame process and pay a ton of money when I could just pull them in. Call me ridiculous but I feel like the Lord has given me an abnormally sized heart when it comes to the orphan epidemic. 163,000,000 orphans is the latest number I have see. When there is a problem, there is always a solution when it comes to the Lord. So I desire with every ounce of my being to be a part of that solution. Who knows what it will look like but I will never stop until there is no more breath in my lungs then I will continue to intercede until Christ returns and makes it all right. I beg you to come quick.
So there’s my little spiel for the orphans.
This month we are working legit out in the bush where it is normal to see kangaroos and crocodiles like the typical deer and squirrel. The nearest city is Darwin a couple hours away. The Aboriginal people are like nothing I have seen.. but so beautiful. We are working with a brilliant couple out in the outback who pour their lives into these people. Roger “pops” has devoted his life into teaching Aboriginal kids instruments giving them purpose and worth in this crazy world. Then his wife Vivian “ma” is the village doctor / midwife. Basically I could watch them for life and learn from them and still not be as intense as them. They devote every second of their time to drenching people in the truth and love of God. They legit depend on the Lord for everything.. and their cup runs over.
That’s all for now. Home soon. I don’t know how to even begin to process and prepare but come what may.
Love you all.
