Thursday, February 21, I met our second sponsored child, Isaac. This was the day of the trip that my heart just broke. Isaac was very shy. He seemed more than shy; he seemed sad. I asked the orphan field worker what was wrong and he told me that Isaac was, in fact, sad. He was worried about his mother and his sister. His mother was at the hospital (which was a distance away) with his younger sister, Annette. She is dying. She was born HIV positive. The mother is HIV positive. I asked if Isaac was too and they said that he hasn’t been tested.
He knows that his sister will die. He hadn’t seen his mother for several days. He was being cared for by others in his village. I just wanted to pick him up and bring him home.
I gave Isaac his small gifts – flip flops, book bag, some school supplies, family pictures, a Torrance High School football cap and a picture of Aaron in his football uniform. He loved the hat and the picture, those seemed to be his favorite.
This was definitely a different kind of visit. He wasn’t playful. I had my hand on his shoulder and was just praying silently for him and I just felt an overwhelming (I am over using that word, I know) feeling of sadness and heaviness.
His school was within walking distance, so he walked me to his class and showed me the room. I talked to him and asked questions through an interpreter. It was tough to connect with him. I just wanted to hold him, but time slipped away and it was time for him to leave. I walked him to the path that led to his village and watched him walk into the distance. I began crying and quickly it turned to sobbing. I just felt so helpless. I want to help him. If I was really the “mommy” that was introduced to him, I would be doing so much more to protect him; but I don’t know what to do. So, I cried. I prayed.
As I turned around to walk toward the bus there was a little girl just waiting for me to turn around. She grabbed my hand and happily walked next to me as I tried to dry up my face. As I looked at this new, little, round, dirty face, I wondered, “What is this child’s story?” They surely all seem to have a story. I can only hope that somehow, we can make a difference.
Click below to view a photo album of Isaac:
http://www.kodakgallery.com/I.jsp?c=1c9kqrn.b6zykxc7&x=0&y=-6pl44q
2 comments:
Thanks for sharing the reality of this journey.
Words cannot describe what I am feeling after reading this blog today. I will pray diligently for Isaac and his family. Thanks for sharing.
-Jeff Chance
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