Each time we arrived at a children's home, the kids would immediately swarm us, eager to shake our hands, be held, or to give us a tour of their home. At one of our first homes (Liberty Children's Home), after all the initial excited greetings occurred, we discovered Amos sitting in a nearby doorstep.
He is a tiny little guy with a mangled foot, abandoned by his parents (probably for lack of ability to care for his medical needs). I spent most of my morning holding Amos. He spent the morning touching my face, playing with my hair, mashing the buttons on my camera and trying on everyone's sunglasses. (It turns out that a toddler is a toddler!)
At the end of the day, Amos made it back into my arms. He clapped my hands with me as the rest of the children sang for our group and he held my face in his hands. But then, as we prayed for the kids, and all eyes in the room were closed, I felt his lips touch my check. And he kissed me softly five or six times until all of our eyes opened again.In that moment, I received confirmation that raising money and travelling thousands of miles to Zimbabwe was right. It felt right to love on him...my heart connecting with his. If only for a moment.
11 comments:
Its hard to imagine that any child anywere could ever be abandoned. Thanks for this account of your trip. It is very moving.
Oh, wow. That's heart-breaking, and also, somehow, heart-warming.
Thanks for sharing.
Moments like these are why we go...tiny moments that change us forever.
Love you, friend.
laura
rebecca...is surgery for his foot a possibility? if so, how can we make it happen? let me know...
I am covered in cold chills and that little boy is PRECIOUS!!! I love the part where he kissed your face. That was a kiss from the very lips of Jesus! PTL!!!
Blessings!!!
He's so tiny. All I can say is, wow.
so sweet... and so heartbreaking!
That is amazing! I had tears in my eyes when I read your story! Precious little boy... :)
Amazing, teary eyed at the love and acceptance a tiny boy from a distant land can show a stranger. What an incredible feeling you must have had!
(Long time no commenter)
As we unpacked our boxes a little picture frame went up in my family room of me and a little boy like Amos that I met in Djibouti over 15 years ago. He still tugs at my heart when I see his beautiful eyes and I hope he always will. So happy for your opportunity (and for you little ones on the way).
No doubt you were meant to be there and that an eternal impact was made. Praying for sweet little Amos right now.
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