Of Orphans and Heartstrings || Day 9 - Rachel

“Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” ~James 1:27It’s amazing how much can happen in one short weekend. How the love in one’s heart can expand to love far more people than it did before. This weekend with the orphans has been so special. Words can hardly describe how much I loved the time spent with them.The children are precious. Though many of them have special needs, they are all made in God’s image. All “ fearfully and wonderfully made” by a loving Creator who has a beautiful plan for each of them. I don’t always understand why God allows challenges in our lives, but I certainly know I can trust Him. I know he will use things in my own life to draw me closer to Jesus (Romans 8:28-29), so I know I can trust him to draw these fatherless children closer to himself by the difficulties he has allowed in their lives as well.One of the crafts we made were butterflies as a reminder that God has purpose in the suffering he allows. Butterflies must struggle to emerge out of their cocoons. If you were to help them out to keep them from having to complete such a hard task, they would be crippled and would not be able to fly. The struggle is necessary for them to be able to have the strength to fly. In the same way, suffering produces strength and character in our own lives and makes us more like Jesus.Eleazar is deaf, has incredible blue eyes, and a joyful smile that lights up his whole face. I helped him with his butterfly craft. I started by handing him a wooden butterfly and letting him pick a marker. He would make a little circle on his butterfly and then look up at me with a huge smile on his face. I would smile back and give him a thumbs up and then point to the butterfly and encourage him to color more. He would make one more little circle and then look up with another huge smile on his face. This went on for some time and eventually he had several circles in many different colors on his butterfly. :-)Antonio is my age, 28 years old, and yet mentally he is like a 2-3 year old who doesn’t yet talk. Prior to him coming to this home, he had been tied up for most of his life. Understandably, he had some struggles when he first came to the orphanage, but praise God he has changed and seems peaceful. I spent a lot of time around him on Saturday and when I walked up to him on Sunday he immediately sat up straight, seeming to recognize me. I would sing and play for him and the other kiddos, and quoted some scripture to him in Spanish too.Angelito is almost 6 years old, but is only about the size of a two year old. He has physical and mental challenges, but has the sweetest face and a joyful smile. I was so thankful to have the opportunity to help dress him, brush his teeth, and feed him his breakfast,Then there was Gabriel. Such a little sweetie with the most beautiful eyes. He would walk up to us and reach his arms up to be held. It was hard to resist, even while I was holding and feeding Angel. Gabriel’s biggest challenge at this point is that his kidneys are failing. Please pray for him. Pray for his healing, for God’s provision for a transplant, for wisdom for his family, pray that God would be glorified through his life.It was a blessing to see each of the teammates dive in and help out wherever needed. Whether it was building a shower, cleaning, feeding, holding, playing with kiddos, making food, washing dishes or laundry, singing, skits, crafts, games, gardening (of sorts), fixing toilets/pipes, translating, etc.It was beautiful to see the families who are compassionately caring for these kids, teaching them about Jesus, loving them unconditionally. Even to see many of the older orphans who are serving there too. What a stark contrast this is to the Catholic/state run orphanages I’ve been to in Central America. I’m so thankful. God is so good.Can you tell that my heartstrings were pulled? The team could have left me there and I would have been content to stay and serve for good. About 16 years ago, the Lord placed the desire in my heart to someday adopt children, but particularly special needs kiddos. This desire, this dream of mine has only grown stronger over this weekend. I know I have to go back. My heart is full of memories from our time there. My eyes were overflowing with tears as we left.“A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation.  God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains...” ~Psalm 68:5-6I wonder what the children were thinking, especially those who had mental or physical challenges. I wonder how much they understand. I hope and pray they saw Jesus in us.Bendiciones,Rachel (o Raquel)