As I mentioned, the 9 & 10 year olds that I got close to were very loving and affectionate,maybe even a bit clingy. I noticed that to be largely the case with the children from about 6-11 years old. Perhaps they felt that at their ages they still had hopes of a visitor deciding to take them in and be a part of their family. But some of the older girls, around 12-14, seemed to have a different appearance. Don’t get me wrong, these kids were well behaved and polite and in many cases pleasant. But there was something in the faces of some of them that I cannot shake. One in particular appeared distant and hardened. Perhaps she had a terrible past that has been weighing her down. Perhaps she looked ahead and didn’t see much of a future. You see, at about age 16 most of these kids will have aged out of the orphanage. If they don’t have a family, where do they turn? I expected to be playing with toddlers and loving on babies; most of you have probably had that as your first impression of orphans also. Few people make a decision to adopt and say that they want an older child. I believe this girl is aware of that fact.
I pray that I will not soon forget about the vast need, not just in Nicaragua but in our own country, in Congo, in Ukraine, and throughout the world. I know that adoption may not be for everyone, (I have been praying about where God wants to place me and my family into this equation), but I urge everyone to listen to God’s call. Whether an infant or an older child, whether they are orphaned by “traditional” methods (whatever traditional means) or by other circumstances, whether international or domestic, the need is great. The events of the week were wonderful. I made some wonderful new friends and I saw what unconditional love is through the eyes of Christ. After seeing these children that I have never met and never known, and knowing how my heart just ached for them, I believe I have a little better understanding of how Christ could have loved me so much that he would do anything for me. Before I knew Christ, I was lost. I was destined for death. I was not a member of His family. I was an orphan.
I’d like to leave you with one final thought. What would you do if you knew the exact day you were going to die? How would you act? How would you feel knowing that one morning you would wake up and THAT would be the day that your life, as you now know it, would be over? Now, imagine you are a child and you see that fateful morning coming closer and closer. That’s what some of these children could be facing. Please think about it…pray about it….listen to God’s call…make a difference.
originally published by the Fatherless Foundation
MLJ Adoptions
MLJ Adoptions is a Non-Profit, Hague-Accredited adoption service provider located in Indianapolis, Indiana, working in Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Pacific Isles. We are passionate about serving children in need.