Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow?

As the time for my departure draws near I find myself contemplating my experiences at Adullam House. Indeed, the last three months have been life-altering.  I go home knowing that I am not the same person I was when I left.  But how does one put into words the way a child you came to bless reaches into your heart and blesses you instead?  Or convey to those at home the effect these precious little ones have had on my life?  I have been blessed beyond measure.

I have loved every moment of the time I have spent with these children; there are so many memories I will cherish.  While I have been attempting to put my thoughts into words I had Vicki (7) and Billy (6) advise me on what I should say.   Vicki suggested that I say “I had lots of fun with Vicki.”  Billy had a very similar idea: “We have lots of fun every day!”  It is true; we do have a lot of fun around here.  Of course some days are more exciting than others; like the day that Billy ran outside barefoot and stepped onto the wet concrete glue.  It took us the better part of the afternoon to get most of it off.  Even after all of that time he still had to walk around with paper between his toes to keep them from being glued together.  Thankfully his foot is fine now!  :-)  Every day is a new adventure; there is never a dull moment. 

While having fun is an important part of each day it’s the quieter moments that stick out most in my memory.  Having two-year-old Andrea curl up next to me on the couch; reading a bedtime story to India (4) and singing her to sleep; having a baby fall asleep in my arms; comforting a child that misses their mom; hearing the beautiful prayers of a child each night before bed.  These are the moments, both wonderful and heart-wrenching, that I will cherish in my heart.

At Adullam House we seek to minister to the spiritual, as well as physical, needs of each child.  The highlight of the last three months happened one day several weeks ago.  Vicki had been getting into a lot of trouble at school.  We were at a loss for how to improve her behavior; everyone was praying for her.  After about two weeks of continually coming home from school in trouble we finally had a break through.  She came home from school on good behavior; you can imagine the elation amongst the staff!  The very next day was my day off and I hadn't seen Vicki to ask about her day at school.  Later I saw her teacher, Siedah, and inquired about her day.  In answer to my question Siedah replied with: “You haven’t heard?!”  My heart began to sink, figuring that Vicki hadn't had a good day.  Tears filled my eyes as Siedah told me of how Vicki had accepted the Lord as her Savior that day!!  At that moment I knew that every minute invested in the lives of these children is a minute well spent.  This is what matters and I wouldn't trade one second of my time here for anything in the world.