Since the children knew we were coming back, many were waiting for us at the gate. It was the most amazing feeling. Since I left part of my heart here, coming back felt like coming home. Patrick was at the gate waiting for James and the boys and Evelyne was there too. Patrick's smile could light a room (geesh, all of those smiles just melt the heart!) and Evelyne, as shy as she is, could barely contain herself.
Everything was right in the world, as far as I was concerned, once I stepped off that bus and instantly was greeted with a leap into my arms from Odeda. (Odeda occupied my thoughts and dreams last night. Oh how I long to hold her again.) Soon Luc joined James and the boys with Patrick and later, Grimimbazi and another boy joined them. From behind I got a huge squeeze, only to turn and see sweet Adolf asking if I remembered him? Oh, I will NEVER forget you and reciprocated the tight hug. I could see Emmanuel's spirited self running through the crowd. AH! My heart is home thinking about Noel.
Not much was different today, We all went our separate ways. The boys actually didn't play a lot of Basketball today. Today was a day to sit and just talk. To hear from James their dreams and goals, their prayers, and struggles... Was amazing. Thank you God, that my husband has a heart for YOU. That he loves orphans the way you do. Seeing my boys with their father, loving on these boys, taking time as a family just for them, the older children, is the most amazing thing to witness. I weep, overwhelmed at what God has allowed us to do, when I think of how my children will forever be impacted by the beauty of an orphan. Thank you Lord, that I have a relationship with you and are able to witness my children sharing YOUR mighty love with others.
It was a wonderful day of sharing and loving on these children, But leaving was the hardest part. Before leaving, I gave Evelyne a journal I had been given for Christmas (don't worry, my MIL knows- I already shared this). Each page of the journal has a scripture and space for writing. She embraced it as if hugging it, began to cry and walked away as we loaded busses. We were delayed in leaving, many people got off the bus to spend more time, but I couldn't do it again in the same day. I sat, watching the faces that I had loved on smiling and crying as they waved. I watched Evelyne show her journal to her friends, it was hers. She was reading through the verses as she shared it and she was writing in it already. As we slowly drove down the road, we did lots of blowing kisses, signed "I love you", made hearts with our hands, and placed our hands on the windows until they closed the gate behind us. I had to keep my glasses on to help conceal my emotions, but my heart could not contain the joy and pain I was feeling.
As I recall us talking about on the trip and as I think about a study our COM group did, there is much debate as to if short-term missions are more hurtful than helpful...Ever have a day when all you need is a hug? Ever have a day when you just need someone to value you or know that you exist? Well, we gave the hugs, held the hands, loved on nannies, valued God's children, and shared the Gospel of Jesus through worship with orphans who needed the hugs, the value, the worship, the hands held!... You decide, I say we offered Love and Hope. If we, Christ Followers don't... Who will?
James 1:27
Our drivers... Loving on the children too. Thank you God!
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