Auntie For a Day- August 13, 2012

I sit here sweaty, sticky, and smelly...not simply because I just finished a work out, but also from 3 days without showering after a weekend without running water. It’s totally worth it. Worth it to be surrounded by mosquitos, dusty roads, and at times uncomfortably hot. It was worth it to walk a few miles, take a bus, then a long matatu ride all to arrive an hour later at Brydges. Worth it to be uncomfortable to meet family. Yes, family.

The view from the new housing

Arriving at Brydges, a well-run, loving orphanage I was quickly “adopted” as “Auntie Elise” and had my hands grabbed while I was eagerly and proudly shown around the home—everywhere from the garden to the greenhouse to the new dorms. The children joyfully asked questions about my life and quickly stole my heart.   I couldn’t help the swarm of verses that flooded my mind about God’s care for the orphans, the abandoned, the broken-hearted, and was so thankful that I was able to see a glimpse of how He works that out—in places like Brydges. One of the sons of the families that are involved in the ministry remarked as we sat with a group of the kids that “as you can see, I have a really big family”—and I loved that.

one of the cuties who stole my heart

part of the garden and the greenhouse

As a person without siblings, I don’t have “blood sisters and brothers” and this was felt as a child—cue the summer months when everyone is on vacation. But as I’ve grown, my definition of family has expanded as I’ve seen how Jesus provides every need. I am so blessed by the close, lifelong friends (siblings) around me and the children who I am entrusted as an “honorary aunt”. Family isn’t just blood, it’s a choice. It’s a commitment and decision to come alongside someone and to stay with them when life happens.

Recently, adoption has come up a lot in my life, from extended family that's adopting, to hearing of other stories, as well as meeting these precious kids this weekend. All this has brought home my adoption—into the family of God, in a new way. I’ve had a glimpse of the choice that Jesus made to die for me, how much of a tangible sacrifice it was to enable me; I who cannot help myself, to be adopted as a daughter of God. Jesus chose to pay the ultimate price to love the unlovable, the destitute, the disabled and broken-hearted—me. 

It breaks my heart that the children I met don’t have parents, but then I am reminded that they are in the hands of the Sovereign Father; the one who died for them, loves them.  He sees their needs, shows them His love, and has adopted them into His perfect family. So, 7 year old self, You DO have siblings—the kind that will be eternal, and I am so grateful that I was able to meet some of them this weekend.