We have spent the majority of the past nine days at the children’s home here in Kolkata. As soon as we step on the property, we are known as Aunties. Hearing a little boy’s voice calling out Auntie or Taylor Auntie rarely fails to put a smile on my face.
These boys have welcomed us into their home with love. With crazy squeals, and with smirking faces just inviting a good tickle from us (or maybe I just like tickling the boys because I know it can get every single one of them to laugh…!) I’ve spent a lot of time playing with kids over the past few years, so it is easy for this to feel just like my work at home or babysitting. It is easy for me to forget that, although these boys play like most kids, they are not most kids. They are certainly not like most American kids. All of these 16 boys have lost a parent. Due to how life is in India, some of the boys still have living moms who, even when working, cannot afford to take care of them. The pastor of the home has shared about the past of some of these boys. They have lived on the street, stolen, and consumed large amounts of alcohol and drugs.
I don’t know much about these situations. I try to imagine them, and all that comes to mind is something from a movie. Probably not the most accurate. And I find myself wondering how to reach the deep deep parts of these boys that have been wounded by those experiences, or by the loss of a parent. That is when my Papa reminds me that He is the one doing the healing and loving through me. I get to be part of the process, but I am not the one doing anything grand. He also reminded me that I am wounded too. From different things than these boys, but the core pain I feel and my need for love and affirmation is something that is shared with some of these boys. So when I am hurting and I am with the boys, I am moved to give them the words and love that I am in need of. And I believe that my Father is not giving me that pain, but using it to prompt and guide me to give these boys what they need. He is using the thorn in my side. That is the beauty of how our Father works. He does not keep us from all pain. But He comforts us in our pain and uses it to bring His healing to others. I believe that what He is doing in me, He will do in these boys also.
