Honesty

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Almost all children desire to grow up in a family. Almost all children desire their biological family over all others. God designed children to be raised in families and so this desire that they have is a good one.

And I want to be honest because I feel as though we have made a mistake here. A mistake that God has been and will use for good, but a mistake that will likely also cause great harm.

When we first came to serve here, we desired to be a blessing to those caring for the children. We desired to help indirectly, but not take over any of the care-giving role. However, there was a need and I foolishly jumped in to meet it without considering the cost. As a result, we have become somewhat of parental figures to a few of the children here. We even offered to fill this role in a more long-term way, but that door was closed.

And so we continue in this somewhat indirect role – serving as ‘parents’ at school functions and events. Providing encouragement when they feel upset, love when they are missing a family member, and bandaids when knees are scraped. God has given me a mother’s heart for them and I think Lee would admit to filling the protective father role.

There is a problem with this, though. They do not need an ‘almost family’ who cannot even take them outside of the town where they currently reside. They need a permanent family who can take them on family vacations or trips to the grocery store. The problem is this: We leave. We leave them. Every time we take a trip to visit family and friends or Lee’s parents in Tijuana. We leave them. While these departures are temporary, they are still difficult.

And soon we will be leaving for good.

I am so sorry. Please pray for the protection of their hearts. Please pray that they will have the permanency that they need before we leave.

On the same topic of permanency (but a more positive note)….these two young ladies seem to be doing quite well and we are so thankful that they can be together with their dad. Both Lucy and her dad were baptized not that long ago!

Today we had a chance to visit with Lucy, Miriam, and their dad for almost half the day and my heart was bursting with thankfulness the entire time. Here is a picture of us after lunch.

—Kaari (and Lee)