In the past, whenever I thought of special needs kids, I never thought of using the word ADORABLE. Needing
special attention, requiring special education and understanding, yes…but as I flip back in my journal, I find
that I have actually written the words…"they are ADORABLE"!
I guess I would describe it as a disconnect between the head and the heart. When I discovered, upon arrival in Ongole, that our team was going to work in Sarah's Covenant Homes (there used to be two homes but there's only one right now), homes for special needs children who have been orphaned or abandoned, I was more happy for my teammates than for myself. I knew how much they had been yearning to work with children. For me, I thought I would just tackle most of the physical jobs…the cleaning and sanitizing and moving, you know.
Once again, the Lord surprised me by opening up a door in my heart to love these kids. As much as I was touched by their stories, at first the kids just demanded so much patience! And, as Tereasa had warned us, it is easy to feel tired in the smog of the air and the less-nutritious food here. However, as we returned day by day to clean and scrub at the Home and feed, care for, and play with the kids, the Lord built in me an increasing love for them. Was it when Wendy started coming up to me every few minutes for kisses? Was it when simply teaching Meghan my name would make her crack up in smiles? Was it when I finally succeeded in feeding the most malnourished, skinniest baby I'd ever seen a full bottle of formula? Was it when Prakash and Stephen proudly showed me their colouring and puzzles? I don't know…but I was reminded that good things are often difficult, and that it may take a lot of work and patience but the reward of love you reap is more than worth it.
Sarah's Covenant Homes is run by Sarah Rebbavarapu, the wife of the head of India Christian Ministries. Sarah has a heart for those children with developmental and physical disabilities, because they are the most likely to be abandoned and least likely to be adopted. Her vision is to take them from the institutional hospitals and orphanages where their bodies are cared for literally at a minimum and their souls not at all, to a place where they can call HOME and FAMILY. This means providing medical and educational attention, and caring for each child as if they were her OWN. In this home of currently 105 children, where every 3 children are looked after by a specific ayah (sitter), it is indeed, in the words of Tereasa, "Taj Mahal" compared to where these children came from.
The morning before we found out our ministry, the Lord reminded me of an awesome thing: He pointed me to the verse: Psalm 139:13-14 "For You created me in my inmost being, You knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are wonderful, I know that full well." What a reminder that each of these children are beautiful and have been designed by the Great Creator. He knew what He was doing and He makes no mistakes. Again I was pondering; is this really what the Lord sent me to do? Wouldn't it be better to do what the other team is doing – evangelism in villages? He pointed me to other verses: Isaiah 58:6-7 "Is this not the kind of fasting I have chosen…is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter- when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?" Then I realized that it is just as important to live, as to speak as Jesus did, pouring out the love from our lives. And isn't that at the very heart of the Father – to see as He sees, to love the children and babes that society rejects, and to take orphans and restore them as sons and daughters of a Home?
Sarah's children have been rescued, but many of them still face difficulties daily as they walk the stages of
life. To read some of their stories, or to support her work, click here to read the SCH blog.
At the same time, God is doing amazing wonders through another team working with ICM to take the gospel to the villages. To read what an absolutely AMAZING experience another team has had here in Ongole, click here on my squadmate Taryn's blog!
And now for what you've all been waiting for, some pictures…
This is the auto we take every morning to go to SCH. We fit 8 people in there once – no joke!
Close-up of mischievous Palmer. Don't be fooled by his innocent face!
One of the ayahs (sitters). They may be rough, but they love their kids.
Hey Lily, what are you laughing at? Oh…you're always this joyful? What a cutie you are!
Stephen: "Yes, I did it all by myself! Aren't you proud of me?"
Pick a baby, any baby! Yes, Team Sozo loves babies!!
And last but not least, you'll surely love this cute video of Prakash doing some puzzles. (sorry, there's no sound)
