I had intended to write about how our hearts are wired towards Home Coming; how life's real riches are in the relationships we nurture – most importantly in family – and how a great visit can make parting tears unnecessary (they'll come later.)
I was going to write about how Zip-lining through North Georgia canopies, hiking and snake-finding (YIKES!), and how smack-talking on a soon-flipped kayak is the stuff of my good life.
How family and belonging is so important.
And the other day, Jeff Goins wrote "There's nothing like coming home." After a few days with Kenan and having skyped with Madi, I replied, "And sometimes 'home comes to you'." That's what I thought I'd write.
Instead, I read a blog by my friend, Kristen, and this paragraph undid all of my plans:
"During the exercise class that happened after chapel, I noticed one little girl not participating. She stood there with her finger in her mouth, refusing to move. The teacher let her be, and I wondered why. Betty came over and motioned to the girl, "Do you see the little one over there? Her father dropped her off at the school two weeks ago and told us that he couldn't do it anymore; that he couldn't be her father anymore."
Just like that, she was abandoned. And while she has a safe place to stay, food to eat, and people who love her and Jesus to take care of her, her heart cries out in pain. Will you pray for this little girl tonight? I don't know her name. But please pray for her, for Betty, and for the rest of the school staff as they tell these children the most wonderful truth: that they matter and that Jesus loves them. And please pray for Purchase Effect, that God will continue to guide us and bring people to hear the story of this little girl, of Betty, and of the school."
The story that Kristen writes is unflinching and does not manipulate- it moves towards action. Read it here: http://kristentorrestoro.myadventures.org/?filename=the-children-who-dont-exist.
Thank God for undoing out plans and stretching our hearts across oceans to a little girl with her finger in her mouth.
God love and protect her.