Monday, October 8, 2007
A Hug
As I sat in worship and chatted with Noah I noticed that Bybooa was not in worship. I went to her room to see if she was in there to tell her that she needed to come to worship. When I walked in I saw her sitting at her table, doing some homework. I told her that it was time for worship and that she needed to be there. As I told her this, she lifted up her face and I saw very sad eyes. She told me she was very sad. She felt like she was not a good person, not a good student, that God doesn't love her, and that she misses her mom and sister. After she finished saying this she broke down into tears. I sat there and held her as she sobbed. She was crying so hard she shook in my arms. As I held her my heart broke for her and I cried too. I rocked her back and forth and held her for over 30 minutes as she cried on my shoulder. Bybooa has to live at the orphanage because her family is way too poor to take care of her. After she calmed down a little bit, I tried to explain to her in the little bit of Thai that I know and easy English words that she knows that God loves her more than anyone could ever love her. And that God is captivated by the creation He made in her. I prayed with her and she kept thanking God for all that He does for her. It was a powerful time. As she explained to me that she really misses her mom and sister, she told me that I am her mom and her sister. It brought even more tears to my eyes. I explained to her that although I may not be her real mother, I love her like she was my own daughter. She asked me if I missed my mom. I told her yes, but I can talk to my mom on the phone. After I finally left Bybooa, about 2 hours later, I did call my mom. I couldn't imagine being 15 and not having my mom there to hold me when times were rough, or lay with me when I'm not feeling well, or tell me how beautiful I am. This is such an important time in a girls life. Good thing we have a God who takes care of us. God provided my arms to hold Bybooa, my heart to love her, and my voice to tell her how beautiful and wonderful she is. God knew exactly what she needed. She needed love and she needed a hug. I have love and I have arms that hug. Maybe that's my mission here. To be the arms that hug, the heart that loves, and the voice that encourages. I couldn't ask for a better mission!!
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2 comments:
You know, Andrea, that's how you have always been. Whenever I was having a bad day and came home crying, you would hold me and tell me how wonderful I was. I remember one Mother's Day where Mom wasn't able to go out with us. You knew that I was really upset, so you decided that just you and I would go out for Mother's Day. I know it didn't seem like a big deal, but for a girl of my age, probably right around 15, it was incredibly uplifting to know that I had you there. You're a wonderful person, and you're a wonderful stand-in for those who just can't be there when they need to be. :) I love you!
You have a kind heart. One of your many gifts. God gives us different talents and gifts that come into play when we help others. It must be very difficult to have nothing and then to have no family near. This could surely make Bybooa very sad. I am glad you were there to comfort her. Your mission is unfolding like a beautiful flower. God made you beautiful so you could share that feeling with others. The ripples are ever widening.
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