Yesterday we spent our first day at Sarah's Covenant Home.
Walking into it, I was nervous. Special needs is not my calling. We have beautiful girls on our team who are absolutely called to serve children with special needs. That is not me. So I was scared. Scared that I would let my emotions get in the way. Scared that I wouldn't be able to give these children the love they need.
God sent me reassurance in two forms.
The first was Sarah. I asked if there would be a problem if I took photos while I was at the home. It turns out that not only would be okay, but she was excited at the prospect. Sarah needs updated photographs of the children to send with adoption profiles, to help these children find homes. She also wants to take pictures of the children having fun, laughing, playing, to decorate the walls of the home and the offices. I had been so nervous to go to the home. So worried that I didn't have a skill to bring to them. But God is showing me how to love these children through the talents I have.
The second came through the word. One of my leaders, Megan read us a verse from James 5 during our morning group time. When I went back and read through it I was taken to James 5: 6-7
"Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you."
At the proper time. Yes, I was scared. Yes, I was worried. Yes, I was praying for God to take those from me, but it's not about my timing. God knows the proper time to take those anxieties from me, and I'm trying to be patient and trust that he will, in time take them from me.
As I said, I spent yesterday at SCH. If I'm honest, I'm not ready to post a blog about the home. I'm still talking to God about my fears and my heartache from it all. I can tell you that the children there are beautiful. They are perfect. And I love them. And I can tell you about Baskar.
Ruth Wilson told me, before I even boarded my flight to India, that I would fall in love with Baskar. And I did. My whole heart is his. Baskar is twelve, and incredibly smart. He has found himself at SCH because he is deaf. He has no mental handicaps, or physical deformities holding him back in life. He is simply deaf.
Baskar is a lover. He will hold your hand, and pat it, smiling at you with a smile that warms your heart. He has a beautiful smile. He is gentle, and kind, and content just to stand by your side. One of my teammates, Kady, played songs from her phone that had strong bass and held them up to his ear and listened, smiling wide.
He knows a few American signs, undoubtedly learned from past teams coming through the home, but aside from those he just communicates in whatever ways he can.
I'm going to make a photographer out of Baskar. He followed me around as I took photos throughout the home and watched me as I looked through pictures. He gently tried out the buttons on my camera and learned what each of them did. Cautiously I let him try out my camera. He was a natural. We've all had those moments were we let a child use our camera and then smile and nod, pretending that the pictures were good. Let me tell you that Baskar is a photographer. His photographs were great, and the joy on his face was immeasurable. Baskar is my friend, and I love him.
Is 20 too young to adopt a 12 year old?
I can't take it <3
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