My children. There are 39 of them. I help raise 39 children. They come in all shapes and sizes. The little ones unable to hug you enough, and the older ones acting as if they are too cool for one- so you give them one anyones knowing that they are in desperate need of the love and attention. The majority of my children come from incredibly difficult backgrounds. Anything from neglect to intense abuse. They have amotional scars from their pasts, but these scars could never define them. Some are lost and scarred, needing your full love and attention at all times. Some have no idea where they want to go in this life or how they ended up here, while others know better then you ever will what their goals are and how they will obtain them while keeping their faith and trust in God. I will never know everything that has happened to these children- nor do I think that I want to. But not knowing what has happened to them in the past means that I was not there to celebrate their birthdays with them when no one else would. It means I could never know the amount of scars or hurt or tears they have endured. I was not there with them through the joys of lost tooth, or to be proud that they made the grades to pass on the the next year in school.
What it means is that I know them NOW. In these two year that I am here I have the beauty pleasure of experiencing their joys and pains with them- whether that be adjusting to life now after having what theyve been given in the past, difficulties in school, or the joy of their 9th year Christmas, I will get to know and see and love them for these two years in a way that no other person that came before me or comes after me will be able to. I hurt at the pain of not knowing them before, but realize the beauty in knowing them now, and forever being a part of their lives from this moment on. They have already in these 3 monthes taught me more than I learned in my 3 years of college. Through their words, actions, love and neglect they are transforming ME. I pray that through grace I may be able to reciprocate this action and love them with a love that could only come from Above. I pray that I might be there for them these two years so that everyone that enters their lives after I leave will not have to fret about things that might have happened, but know that these children were loved with a pure love.
I pray that you might pray with me on this journey so that every heart whether it be on the Finca or those simply reading this blog might be opened more fully to the beauty that is happening around us everyday. We are alive, breathing, and creations of God. Everyday in a new creation that we are to strive to live to the fullest.