A day of celebration and putting the hard aside for a day-

12 Nov 2011 1 Comment

by heyefamily in Uncategorized

Freshly braided hair, bright shirts abound, and smiles you can feel…. Today was Children’s Heaven’s 7th year anniversary and what a day it was. There were many speeches, things to buy and dances to watch. I am still in awe of how healthy the girls are now and what a difference a meal a day can make. There is such JOY in this place and Hanna, the director, gives all glory to God and knows that despite the hardships these girls face He will give them the strength and help. Several girls spoke of how they came to Children’s Heaven and it would be impossible to keep a dry eye with these stories… a mother who has died and then being kicked out of school, a father remarrying and not wanting you any longer, being used only to work and not having enough to eat… It is hard to not become over burdened with what you hear, yet they have HOPE now. They sparkle, life is not easy, yet they know they can prepare for a different future because of this program. A mother,  much younger than me, stood to tell how Hanna found her near death and brought food for her  four children and her so she could be restored to health again. She has AIDS, but is trying to stay healthy so these girls will not be motherless too. She said without Children’s Heaven she would have died and it was not a hyperbole, but you can tell solid facts. Just when I thought my heart could not handle any more…..

Aser was asked to come into translate for mothers and daughters they had called who were on the waiting list. Currently we have 78 girls in this program, but there are OVER 250 waiting. Hanna wanted to get a picture of what life is like for those who are not in the program yet, but so desperately need it. It looked each one she called came. I was not prepared as I entered the room to meet a mother with a 15 year daughter and a 2 year old. She went on to say she has AIDS and the little one did too as you could see the bloating from meds or nutrition not being what it needed, but there is a certain look and you know. The daughter looked very healthy and strong… strong like she has lived many lives already. The mother was crying and I was so taken with her I took her in my arms and she hugged so tightly. She was very sweaty and yet dressed in her best you could tell. She has been trying for 4 years to get her into this program. We do not have sponsors to take more girls at this point. She is fearful if her daughter can’t finish high school she will have no future and I am sure there are many thoughts about why this girl needs this so badly.  Hanna usually takes the girls in order for sponsors, but did say if we can get someone to sign up for this she would let her in. I am praying about this now! Then mother after mother came in and would admit they were positive, mostly in whispers because of shame and not wanting to tell their children. How can there be so many suffering, so many families where the fathers could not handle it and left, but not before infecting their wives????? There was a lady who brought in a little girl, who was very obviously positive and she said she found her on the street after her parents died about a year ago. She has been trying to raise her, but is positive herself and does not know what will happen to this girl. She is scared to get her tested as she thinks her parents died of this. There was no question she has it, but this also means she is not on life-prolonging drugs… oh my heart was aching wondering how hurt God must be feeling when He sees his babies suffering in torment? ( then I think I worry about if my coffee is too hot or cold, will we have pizza or lentils for dinner… and on and on in my shallowness) There was the man raising a family member’s daughter , who had lost both parents, and he himself can’t walk. He looked like a warrior though trying to get the help he needs for her. He says if help doesn’t come soon, it will be too late because he can’t care for her much longer. They would bow at me as they left, yet it is I who needed to go lower than they– They would not let me! I was the one wanting to cry for them, yet amazed how a mother who scavengers through the dump will feed her child tonight? How can this be God? What am I called to do? I can’t even begin to help one at this point, yet my heart says I have to. I have not been this broken in a long while. My tears are too raw and real to flow, they are a deep ache in my throat. I have to get this message out, yet there are millions with the same story. TOday I felt like I had met Malachi’s mom. Her story would have been much the same to these women I believe. If there had a been a hand willingly reaching in to love and give bread, could it have been different for him? Could his mommy have made it to raise him? These families want to be with their children. They are fighting hard to stay together, but it may  too late if help doesn’t come soon. Please pray for us as we try to navigate these paths and that we would truly be the hands of feet of our maker.

I have a wonderful miracle story I will share tomorrow that happened today, but I am emotionally drained and need to rest this tired heart. Thank you for caring and praying-