I am especially thankful for these opportunities because I am able to pour out love, and these experiences, in turn, fill me up. So far I have participated in two mercy ministry opportunities. First, I visited the infant rescue center, and then this past Saturday, Caleb and I visited a local orphanage.
The Baby Rescue Center (which rescues abandoned unwanted infants) is located in the village of Kobaya about a one to two hour drive from the ship. It was a one hour trip going and two hours returning due to traffic. The baby center is in a very nice house with an outdoor area for the little ones to play. Currently there are 12 babies living at the center. Several of the babies are in the process of being adopted. Two will be heading to Ohio, one to Canada, and two others will be going to Guinean families. I was so glad to know that the center works with an adoption agency to find these sweet babies homes. The center often receives babies found by the police, but one of the sweet babies was found wrapped in plastic on the train tracks. The babies can stay at the center until they are around four years old, and then if they have not been adopted they will move to another facility that takes care of older children. I spent a lovely two hours holding, cuddling, singing to, and loving on these sweet babies.
One sweet boy, David, could use your prayers...I am not sure of David 's age. Age is often difficult because children are usually malnourished before they come to the center. This stunts their growth and development. He appears to be around 15 months, but behaves very much like a new born. He cannot roll over, and at first he seemed to be in pain. Several of the ladies who visited the center with me focused their attention on David. Exercising his stiff limbs and playing peekaboo. He seemed to just soak up the attention, and he started making happy sounds. I loved hearing him giggle and I ask that you pray God will provide a home for David where he will have loving parents to help him develop into the best David he can be.
All of the children were adorable, and seemed to just want to soak up every bit of the attention we came to give. I certainly enjoyed my afternoon, and was blessed by the opportunity. There are so many opportunities like this on the ship. I feel so blessed to be able to sign up and serve in so many different ways.
The visit to the orphanage was different for two reasons. The first difference was that I took my youngest son, Caleb, with me. Second, the age range for the children was larger, probably 1yr-7yrs old. When we first opened the gate and stepped in, most of the children who could walk came running.
My first impression was that the children are cared for. They have food, clothes, and toys to play with, but with all of that they are still starving for affection. To be held, loved, and cherished. these are what children NEED more than worldly things. They need moms and dads who will love them unconditionally and who will make every effort to love them like we are loved by our Heavenly Father. My heart broke for these sweet babies...they knew that if they could get us to pick them up we would hold them. Once we had picked up a child they would not let go. Little arms wrapped around my neck and legs around my waist. I could let go but these toddlers would hold on. They wanted to be held.
Within minutes I had two sweet children in my lap, and then I saw Caleb. My sweet, sensitive youngest son standing frozen. I am not sure if it was fear or shock, but he would not move. I tried to get him to come sit by me but he wouldn't respond. Several older children rubbed his blond hair but he didn't react. I tried to put the babies down to go and get him, but my babies were not going to have that. After a few minutes he walked over beside me and crouched down, and watched some more. I wondered what he was thinking. Was it the smells, the flies, or the fact that this place looked so different from an American pre-school. Whatever it was he was soaking it all in. After another few minutes he stood up and went over to one of the blankets to attempt to play...I was so proud. The children at the orphanage are rather territorial about their toys, and one got upset when Caleb picked up a little guitar. He grabbed it out of Caleb's hands, and this shattered what little courage my sweet boy had mustered up. His lower lip quivered, and a tear ran down his face. He came over to me and asked to get back in the truck. I tried to encourage him to sit by me. I told him that each of these children do not have a mommy or daddy to love them, and that we were here to give them our love. He seemed to understand and he calmed down.
The couple that leads this Mercy Ministry have two daughters, the older daughter took Caleb under her wing and asked him to be her helper during Bible Story Time & Craft. Once Caleb had a sense of purpose he turned back into his normal self. He helped show the children the play dough craft we were going to make, and at the end of the time he was playing happily in the courtyard. It was interesting to watch my son grow over a few hours. I hope that we are teaching our children how to love, and be kind to others. I hope that someday Caleb will look back on this day as a good memory.
For me the day was so GOOD and so DIFFICULT. I kept wondering: What kind of future will these children have? Will they receive forever homes in this life? Will they know what it is to be loved abundantly? I pray that they will. I pray that we are making a difference and that we are showing them the love of a Father that will never leave them.
Will you pray for these children?
