Reality
It’s been awhile since I have blogged. It always seems to take me awhile to process and gather my thoughts enough to be able to put them into words and in all honesty I am not sure I am there yet so if this blog seems like random thoughts it’s because they are J. Over the past two weeks we have taken in our first children at Hope Rising. We currently have 4 boys and 1 girl with 2 more girls on the way. After over 5 years of praying, planning, and research I was not once told or prepared for the emotions that these kids or I would go through. It doesn’t seem to be something that is talked about publically very often and maybe that’s why I am doing that now. I want you to see the whole picture not just the “look at these sweet smiley kids who just got a ‘better life’ picture you see on social media”. The reality is they didn’t just get a better life, not in their minds. They were not rescued because in their minds they didn’t need rescuing. They actually just lost everything and gained nothing in their minds. They come to us strangers sad, hurt, confused, and not wanting the love we so much want to offer them. They lie down at night feeling lost and lonely thinking back over all that just happened and they cry themselves to sleep. This photo is of Myline. She is 6 years old both mother and father have passed away, and now feels like she has lost everything. You might be able to tell that Myline was crying and had just wiped the tears from her eyes so I could get a picture of her to post on FB to try and get sponsors for her which was not even successful. How awful is that?! It hurt me to take her picture in such a vulnerable state but now I am glad I did because I hope God uses it to open your eyes to their hurts. What hurts me the most is seeing such pain and having to remain at a distance until they are ready to let us in. This is the reality I wish I had been warned about. I am telling you all this so that you will pray. Pray for these children who have lost all that was familiar to them. Pray for them to be able to process and accept our love. Pray for us as we wait patiently for them to open up. Pray for our house moms to show compassion and understanding to these children. The transition is not easy. May we cast our cares on Him for He cares for us. Make this a reality Lord for all of us today and may we remember that You have created a time to mourn and it’s ok for all of us to do so.
