Some of the girls reach out for attention, some are off in the corner by themselves watching it happen. For those girls, some may write them off as unreachable, some may think they do not want to participate, some may forget them.
So, praise God that all of us on our team were able to make connections with certain people at Jubilee and be a positive piece of their life, even for just a moment. I made a connection with a special girl who appeared very quiet and anti-social.
So on our first couple of days, Vendanna would play in the rocks alone, or off to the side by herself. Day 1- God gave me the urge to be with her. So I began to go over and sit with her, hold her hand, talk to her, sing to her, whatever.
I did not hear her talk until a song came on that she knew, she sang very quietly-under her breath. Constant encouragement was needed to help her continue. As time went on (I spent most of my ti
me and days with her) she began to recognize me and come over to me and put her hand out to be held. We began to participate in activities together, and she was totally able to participate. She was able to socialize and be friendly, she just needed some courage and positive reinforcement! She loves any attention and gets happy when people just look at her.
She gets really excited when you celebreate the little things with her. On the last day I finally heard her speak out loud, and she was playing basketball, and we were dancing together! Just as trust was built up, we leave.
So then I started working on God loves you with her- I prayed over her and all I can do is continue to pray that she will feel loved, feel perfect, feel beautiful because that what she is to God and to me.
She would get overwhelmed during activities, but she would just need someone to take her aside, teach her and reintegrate her into the activity.
She had many scars on her wrists from cutt
ing, she had lived on the street before, and she had no family. She needed a love buddy who would sit with her, rub her scars and love on her. God was with me as I was able to make this connection, and to Him I am so grateful, for He enabled me to show love to her. She finally gave a hug on the last day- it’s very hard to say goodbye especially when breakthrough just happened.
So the beginning of goodbyes have started for our squad- goodbye to Jubilee, goodbye to Casa Shalom, goodbye to Romania. I realize how important it is to soak up each experience, every moment.
Our team was snacking in the kitchen last night and we realized we would never be in that spot with each other again. We realized we would never be able to give another hug, or play another game with those girls.
Psalm 18: 33-36
“He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights. He trains my hands for battle, my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great. You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn.”
THANK YOU GOD FOR EACH MOMENT OF EVERY DAY! WE CAN DO NOTHING APART FROM YOU!!
<3
