"Children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right." Ephesians 6:1
"My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.
Dont lose sight of them;
Keep them within your heart.
For they are life to those who find them, and health to one's whole body." Proverbs 4:20
These children need a mother. To kiss their boo-boos when they get hurt. To run to when something is bothering them. To talk to. To love them and hold them when they are sad. To make their favorite food when they need it. To rejoice over them when they accomplish something extraordinary. To be their biggest fan.
These children need a father. To teach them life lessons. To teach them the word of God. To discipline them when they do something they are not supposed to. To laugh with and wrestle with. To have a role model to look up to. To have someone provide for their every need.
It amazes me how independent these children are. They have lived on their own for so long that they don't really need anyone to take care of them. And when what they do face something that seems like its just too much to bear, they run to the corner to be by themselves and face it on their own, not wanting to show the world that they are hurting, sometimes even holding back tears. On the other hand, A lot of things that maybe should hurt them or their feelings don't. Its almost as if their hearts have become so caloused from previous pains and hardships. But then sometimes, they do break down, and honestly I don't know what to do in those times. I want to run to them and hug them, but they wont let me. I want to comfort them but they think I might hurt them. I want to discipline them but they usually don't understand what I'm saying or why they should live differently. I want to kiss their boo-boo but they put their arm in the way. I ask whats wrong but they can't explain their pain to me because of the language barrier. I want to tell them that I love them but even if I do I wonder if they really believe me. After all, I am going to leave them in a month. They probably think that if I really loved them I wouldn't leave or I would take them with me. I want to be a mother to them while I am here, and I will do my best to l0ve them as a mother loves her children, but when I do leave they will be back to their old ways, living in independence, depending on no one else but themselves for strength and comfort and love. When we leave there will be 5 less people loving on them and disciplining them. Yes, they have the people who work at the orphanage and the older orphans who act as big br0thers and sisters. But they don't have a mother. and they don't have a father.
I work with the Pre-Elementary class which is the equivalent of pre-school and one of the little boys in the orphanage is in that class. He is 5 years old and has lived in the orphanage since he was 1 week old. One day he was getting in trouble left and right - hitting people, screaming, not doing his work, throwing things, you name it. My first instinct was to say, "Wait until I tell your mother how you've been acting. I'm sure she will not be happy." But you cant do that in this situation. One of the Ate's at the orphanage was called in to take care of the situation and she talked to him but she is not his mother. She can't make sure that he is always doing what he is supposed to do and behaving, especially when there are 30 other children she has to look after as well. How could she give this child and all the others the love and direction they need to succeed in life.
When I was a little girl and was scared or hurt I knew I always had my parents to run to for safety. I always knew I would be loved, hugged, kissed, comforted, sung to, and told I love you. These children have never had that. There is no one they can consistently run to. And that breaks my heart.
Parents, especially fathers, are to be earthly examples of our Heavenly Father. Thankfully, God blessed me with the best example of a father, and because of my father I understand the relationship I can share with my Heavenly Father. I know that He loves me unconditionally, wants the best for me, will always provide for my needs, and will discipline me and teach me in the way of the Lord. These children have had horrible or no relationship with their earthly fathers. We celebrated fathers day at church and my heart sank as I realized that these children do not have a father to celebrate. The Bible is full of verses that say honor your father and mother and listen to parents advise and instruction, but who will these children listen to, look to, and honor? My prayer is that as a team we would be able to bring these children to the feet of their heavenly Father who loves them and cares for them more than any earthly father ever could. He is a father to the father less. If earthly fathers provide for their children and love their children, how much more does our Heavenly father love us? Oh, how He loves... I pray that their broken relationship with their earthly father does not hinder them from building a relationship with their Heavenly father. So many times it is hard for children who come from broken families to see that God is different from their earthly father. They see God in the same way they saw their father on earth - one who expects too much from them or one they obey out of fear. One who will only love them if they do what he asks. That is not my Heavenly Father.
Please pray with me and the team that we would show these children Christ's love for them while we are here. Pray that we show them how much their Abba Father loves them. Pray that he would do miraculous things in their lives and change their hearts. Pray for us as a team as we go to school Monday through Friday on our summer break. Pray that we would be patient and slow to anger. Pray that the children in our Christian Education classes would understand the lessons they are learning, even through the language barrier. Pray that Gods will be done.
