Today was the day. The day that the father's search would end. He had found his son. After years of searching, he had finally found what was taken from him.
Maicol and his two younger brothers (from different fathers) have been in orphanages for most of their lives because the government deemed their mother as unfit/unable to care for them.
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| Maicol with his homemade bow + arrow |
When Maicol was introduced to his father, his demeanor changed drastically. His face glowed. They are 2 peas in a pod. The same smile, teeth, facial expressions, posture, even to the way they tilt their heads to the side when they talk. They talked and caught up in the office for an hour or so. And when he came out of that office, Maicol was a different boy.
I cannot even begin to fathom what that moment must have been like for Maicol. All of his life in an orphanage with his younger brothers. His family torn apart. Never expecting to be reunited with his mom, much less his dad who he had only met once.
But his dad was looking for him. Searching. Going from orphanage to orphanage looking for his lost son. I will never forget what Maicol's dad told him: "You are my son. I accept you fully as my son. Now it is your choice if you want to accept me as your father."
Years without hearing from his family. Never knowing his father. Never expecting this moment. And now Maicol is told that he is loved and accepted by his father whom he has never known. What a beautiful example of the gospel.
God seeking out each and every one of His children. And we open the door to see our loving father open his arms to us and embrace us as his beloved child.
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| Maicol and his youngest brother, Miguel |
As I left the orphanage that day Maicol and another boy accompanied me to the bus stop. Talking with Maicol was so encouraging. His heart truly reflects the heart of God. He is willing to lay down his life, his dreams and these amazing opportunities to serve and love his brothers. I was brought to tears, hearing him talk about how good and faithful God is. Maicol recognizes God's goodness to him.
On the bus ride home I broke down in tears. Maicol's face. I cannot even explain or express what I saw in Maicol's face. Amazement. Surprise. Joy. Sadness. Confusion. Shock. But what I saw is a young boy who for the first time in his life understood that he has a Father who is loving and faithful.
This is why I am here in Mexico. My dream is to see more kids like Maicol understand how much God loves them and to see them transformed and restored.
Sadly, most orphans are never going to experience what Maicol has experienced. Their biological parents are not looking for them.
I want to mobilize people to seek these kids out. To love them as their own. I want to see Maicol's face and heart in all of these children. My dream is to see these children experience God's love and faithfulness like Maicol has. I desire to see restoration and healing in these kids lives.
God has brought some amazing opportunities in my path. He surprises me each day with the people He brings into my life. People who desire to start orphanage, but don't know how. People who want to start food-kitchens for orphans and impoverished children, but know how. Families that desire to adopt children. Women who desire to love and serve orphans, but don't know where. My church here desires to open an orphanage/food kitchen in a small town (El Húmedo) we are working in, but doesn't know how to start/operate it. A group of women that serves together in implementing an education program at Kids in Victory orphanage, but with a larger dream of implementing a similar program in all orphanages in the state of Jalisco.
I don't know why God is putting all of these people and opportunities in my path. Our dream is start our own orphanage. I have had the opportunity to train and learn from many orphanages here in Mexico. And now I have the opportunity to train and serve at an amazingly organized and well-established orphanage in Chapala.
I don't know why God has given me so many opportunities to train and learn. But the other day I was talking with a lady from church about all of the opportunities and how I was unsure and yet excited for what God has in store. And she said something that really stuck with me.
She said, "Your dream is to start an orphanage. And that is amazing. But maybe God is preparing you to train and prepare other people to start orphanages. Instead of just starting your own orphanage, maybe God has also sent you here to raise up and train leaders to start orphanages, to seek out families in the church to adopt children, to train and connect people to orphanages and food-kitchens to serve at, etc.".I don't know what God has next, but the beauty of it all is that His plan is grander and greater than any of my plans.
I am honestly in complete awe of what God is doing. Ever since the beginning of 2013, God has brought us so many people and opportunities. He is moving. And I want to be like Maicol, in awe of how good and loving God is and also willing to lay down my life and my dreams for Him.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THIS MONTH:
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| El Húmedo |
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| El Húmedo |
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| El Húmedo |
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| El Húmedo |
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| El Húmedo |
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| El Húmedo |
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| Rodrigo + Coby are best buds |
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| Jonathan-the jokester of the orphanage |
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| Goofing around with the kids! |
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| These boys bring me so much joy! |
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| Brayan and Miguel in "jail" |
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| @ the movies with Jorge + Carlos for their birthdays! |
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| Coby is learning how to write his name! |
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| Education classes with our group of volunteers! |
Pray for our meeting with the directors of Kids in Victory Orphanage to explain to them through a formal presentation the education project we are desire to implement at the orphanage.
Pray for the mission in El Húmedo and the church's desire to start a soup kitchen.
Pray for Maicol and his dad.
Pray that God would continue giving us wisdom, discernment and direction as to our next steps.
Also, if you get the chance check out this interesting article about 6 Ways You Can Support Missionaries.
