The title sums up a week, or even a day, working in an orphanage. Being surrounded by lovable kids, but also getting an in-depth look at their background and the things they’ve faced in the past is difficult at times.
On the brighter side, I celebrated my first Cinco de Mayo in a Spanish speaking country by attending my first quinceañera and 18th birthday party. Like a sweet 16, women celebrate their “big” birthday when they are 15 (quinceañera) and men celebrate theirs when they turn 18. It was more of a ceremony than a party.
All the kids and visitors were dressed up nicely filling the chapel. Balloons hung from the ceiling, and the house moms took the time to make Cinderella, Prince Charming, and castle cardboard cut-outs to decorate the stage. The 15-year-old got up on stage and exchanged her flats for heels and got to put on her nice jewelry too (earrings, bracelet, necklace) as a sign of maturity. The 18-year-old also got on stage to receive a new watch.
Dinner was at 9:30 with most of the children in the cafeteria. Earlier that afternoon, I saw a few of the older boys climbing one of the tall pine trees just outside the cafeteria and breaking off branches. For the party, the floor was covered in pine needles from the front to the back, and around every table. White table cloths were set out with vases of gel beads holding a single blue sunflower. A few of the older gentlemen served us all dinner, and it was soon followed by finely decorated cakes. The princess of the night got the opportunity to dance with her brother with all eyes on them. It was a beautiful night shared by all who could attend.
The following day, I got to go with two of the orphanage’s volunteers to visit the home of a family that recently left Casa Shalom. I don’t know how much I am allowed to publicly address about the few hours we were there, but again, it was an afternoon of mixed emotions for everything we saw, heard, and experienced.
Later that evening, I went to attend youth group with the older kids. Spiritual warfare was the topic of the night, as James 1 was mentioned “2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.” Worship music filled the room, as we were left to ourselves to pray, journal, and think.
As I was getting my second cup of coffee, one of the youth kids came up to me, saying assistance was needed in one of the houses. I made my way up the house to see two of the younger girls cleaning the house quietly. Next, I was told that one of them is going to spend the night and the following night with me, to separate the four girls that were causing problems in their house.
I almost felt like I was babysitting for the weekend, but also felt like I was abusing her in some way, making her clean my house, wash my dishes, and help with food preparation. Although, I was told to work her for the 36 hours I was with her (Saturday night-Monday morning), all she talked about when she got back with her friends was sleeping in a huge (twin) bed and taking a hot (burning) shower. I’m not sure if she saw this weekend as a reward or a punishment.
To start this week off, I saw a brother and a sister that I’ve come close to seated and waiting in the office before they were off to the court to determine if they were staying at the orphanage or headed back to their family. I held one of them for a minute or two in my arms telling them repeatedly that I love them, not knowing if this will be the last time I’ll get to see either of them again.
The one thing that gave me peace in my quiet rush of emotions was the verse for the day sent to my email earlier that morning, from Romans 15:13 reading “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” I was reminded of the hope and faith in Him, as I watched the older sibling read a chapter of Proverbs to the younger, trusting God will place the two siblings in the correct hands. Knowing that they took space in their small backpack to bring a Bible was an encouragement and an inspiration to me.
The morning seemed to stretch on longer and longer. I just wanted it to be over, like ripping off a bandaid. Around noon, the social worker that took them entered the office calling one of their names. They’ve returned! She explained what happened at the audience (court session). Their mother was in attendance. They said “Hi” to one another, but she stated that she didn’t want them. As ecstatic as I am to have both of them come back, I’m still trying to understand how she couldn’t want to love and care for two of the sweetest, easiest, most lovable kids in the orphanage (that she also gave birth to). Hey, I guess her loss is our gain!
It’s been a full, busy week, like usual! I am really looking forward to having my church (who has been helping me with fundraising/donations) Living Oaks Church here next month. If you want to send any cards, care packages, donations, or gifts of love, make sure they arrive to the church BEFORE the end of May, so the team has enough time to pack everything!
Harper Severance, C/O Living Oaks Church, 14156 64th Dr N, PBG, FL 33418
(har)Perseverance on a mission 