There are few books I read that touch me as deeply as these have. I feel I can relate to Immaculee in reference to her walk with God. I would love to sit and have a talk with her. I have never been through such a terrifying experience as she has, but I am familiar with a similar fear, loss, and pain as she has experienced. I know what it feels like to mourn and grieve over loss, and wonder if you will ever recover from it.
I also have much to be joyful and hopeful for, as God has been to me a light in the darkness beyond what I could have ever imagined. I have experienced God’s provision in ways that are truly remarkable. He truly is a father to the fatherless. Immaculee has experienced this as well.
From reading her story, it seems Immaculee has a special place in her heart for children, as I do. After the genocide she frequently visited The Home of Hope, which is an orphanage in Kigali run by the Missionaries of Charity, the Sisters of Mother Teresa of Calcutta. As she was recovering from the trauma of the loss of her family, she would find solace in giving her time as she offered some hope and happiness to these children. I was so moved as I imagined these poor children suddenly orphaned as a result of the genocide.
In one particular chapter, Immaculee tells of her experience regarding a simple prayer she prayed and the answer she received. One day as she was walking to the orphanage, she took a moment to reflect on the many soldiers that were everywhere as the country recovered from this atrocity. In her heart she said a simple prayer to God: “What could we do with an army, Lord? What war could we fight with love instead of guns?” She states that in this particular instance her answer came quickly. She writes, “A light flashed in my mind”: If I had an army, I’d bring it here to fight for the orphans.
The answer she received says a lot obviously about where God’s heart is. It is a sober reminder that generally the mind and heart of men is not one with the mind and heart of God. I imagined the chaos of a country trying to recover from such a nightmare, and all the dealings going back and forth among men. And then I thought in the midst of all the chaos, God wants to fight for the children. His heart is in no small way, with the children.
There are those though, that respond to God’s call in this area and they should be honored. However, I bet if you ask those that do this sort of work in any capacity, they would say the honor comes is in being trusted by God to care for these little ones. The privilege is reward enough.
I hope to visit an orphanage some day and spend some quality time with the children. I work with children now as my employment, and each day I am amazed at these little ones.
I was caring for a little boy of 4 a few years ago, and God spoke to me through this child I believe. I knew there was something unique and special about him. He had a discipline problem though, and yet I was still able to reach him with some consistency and patience. He was not getting this from his parents, and so I did what I could when I was with him. (There are many “orphans” in the world, some living in the same home as their own parents.) He respected me first, and after this was established I was able to reach him in other ways. He showed a particular aptitude for spiritual things and would often ask me questions about God. I couldn't’t believe the questions that he would ask me sometimes.
One day I was sitting on the floor with him trying to focus while playing with him, but my thoughts were elsewhere. He could immediately sense this. Without taking his eyes off of his trucks he simply said to me, “Cheri, rest, …..rest.” “You need rest.”
As adults I believe we at times underestimate the dignity and worth of each child in the eyes of God. Just because they are young and have yet to mature into adulthood, doesn’t mean they have nothing to contribute to those that care for them and society at large. Some cultures seem to understand this more it seems than we do in the West. Children have an ability to transform any situation with their innocence and innate joy. As Isaiah 11:6 prophesied, "... and a little child shall lead them."
I would also like to mention the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation. This is her website: http://www.cncf.org/
Christina Noble has also written a book titled ‘Bridge Across My Sorrows’ that is deeply moving as well. This woman spent a good portion of her childhood as a street child in Dublin, Ireland. She managed to rise from her ashes as well, and God made something beautiful from her suffering. She eventually opened two orphanages in Vietnam and Mongolia.
Please remember to pray and contribute in some way to the children suffering injustice throughout the world.
“It is no small thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.” Charles Dickens
1 comment:
Glad to see I'm not the only one that needs rest now and again! :) I think you'd fit in to an orphanage so well. I hope your desire is realised someday if it be part of God's best plan for you.
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