Chris and I are trying to set aside one day each week to go to New Life Homes to volunteer. We like to go feed the babies early morning, then they go down for a nap about 9:30ish. Then we wander over to the 1-2 year olds to play with them outside. IT IS SO MUCH FUN! The 1st time we went CT got to go. The second time was a whim. CT was in Kawangware and Isaac hadn’t shown up for “school”. I was already 20 min from home. Since Isaac hadn’t come I figured I’d go on the NLH to spend my day. When I told Chris what I had done that day he was really disappointed he didn’t get to go. Okay- so he was straight up jealous of my bonding time with the kiddos.
As I had said before- one particular little girl grabbed our hearts. Actually she got Chris’ first. Then mine. She’s a tiny, petite little thing with a smile that could melt anybody’s heart. The first time Chris went over to her she smiled and reached up for him. I told Chris about the babies schedule and how I wanted to be there early. He said “Oh- yea! So we can see Wendy.” Exactly. I was getting to where I was praying about her becoming our child. I was even praying just this morning (Friday) for her when I felt a tender whisper “What if she’s not there?” Of course I didn’t let my mind sit very long with that thought. I ignored it almost as quickly as it came to mind. As we got to NLH Chris and I were both looking over all of the children… trying to find little Wendy. I didn’t see her. So I asked “Mama, where is Wendy?” (This is the same Mama that asked me just last week if I wanted Wendy to be my little girl.) “She’s gone. She got a family.” Bittersweet. See, that’s the catch 22 here. You look into the eyes as you get to know each of these children wondering “Could I be looking into the eyes of MY child right now“? (We know God has 2 children already picked out to fit perfectly in our family). Yes, it can be a struggle- but that place just draws you in. It's like a REALLY great, all you can eat- buffet. You can’t get enough and you can’t help but go back for more. I had talked to my sister about whether or not I thought I'd be able to go and volunteer there. Now that I've started, I can't stop. When you hear their stories and what some of them had to overcome to get to NLH- you too, would be drawn to go back.
I want to share a bit of what I call “the real world.” Did your mom ever used to say “Welcome to the real world.”? My Mom certainly did and boy did it drive me bonkers. Mom- no offense, but nothing about whatever I was going through was the “real world”. As a matter of fact- just in the last 2 years I have realized what the “real world” REALLY is.
In India, the real world throws their baby girls in dumpsters. Some burry them alive or leave them on the street because they feel like there is no other way out of their poverty. Some women are given ultimatums- kill their baby girl or the husband will leave. Some women even commit suicide at the same time or afterwards. These heinous acts are out of fear that they won't be able to provide for the rest of their family because with her gender- she brings a dowry.
The real world decided to abort this little boy at birth. Somehow- it went terribly wrong. As he was attempting his natural exit out of the birth canal, he was stabbed with a knife tearing his left side from the middle of his ribs down to his thigh. Since that didn’t kill him- he was thrown into a field and left for dead. Some children found him with a terribly infected wound infested with maggots. He was repaired as best they could but now has such a tight scare that it pains him to stand. In fact he even favors his left side when he sits. He will have to endure a surgery soon to relax the scare tissue a bit so that he may be more comfortable. He also had a bit of undiagnosed hydrocephalus. When he began showing symptoms they took him to the hospital immediately. However somehow they switched his CT with a 18-year-old boys and said he was fine. Thankfully, he now has a shunt and is doing well with it. What a fighter! He is so bright and precious.
The real world abandoned this little girl who is both blind and with cerebral palsy.
The real world can’t decide if one little girl should get to have open-heart surgery because she also has Down syndrome. They COULD be paying for another child to have open heart who doesn’t have Downs.
In the real world this normally jovial little fella feels rotton. Randall has Eczema…. All over his entire body. He has been on creams and steroids, but nothing seems to work. He needs a home and a special dermatologist who can test him a treat it. He just laid on a mat outside- so lethargic. I’m sure it just hurt too badly today to move. And to think- I thought his Eczema looked bad last week. He reminds me so much of a burn victim the way his skin sloughs off and the pink color of the new skin underneath.
I’m really not trying to be Debbie Downer… just wanted to get you to think and pray for these little guys. And that you might think differently when you hear "the real world".
Lindy, how do you stand it? Jeff and I are praying on what God wants us to do, but to even adopt one or two or 10 just seems so inadequate. I guess it's just about getting the knowledge of it out there. I pray we are an effective tool just as you are being. I give thanks for you guys. The kids and I each prayed for you today!
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