It seems like at least one time each night an SPCA commercial
plays during our television time. I know that when the first note of Sarah
McLachlan’s song Angel plays, my husband will be reaching for the remote to
either mute the television or change the channel. He doesn’t care for the commercial
at all, especially by the third or fourth time. Looking into those sad puppy
eyes just does in him.
When I was a child, I
remember a similar commercial trying to raise funds for orphaned children. I
don’t remember the name of the organization. All I really do remember is that
it was filmed near a set a train tracks. I can still see some of the children’s
faces in my memory. Orphans. Starving children. Desperate
for help. Longing for hope. Needing a way out. Each of them praying for an
answered prayer to come quickly. So sad, and heartbreaking.
It wasn’t until many years later that I held an orphan for
the first time. In his book, Radical, David Platt has this to say in regards to
orphans and orphan care – “ We learned that orphans are easier to ignore before
we know their names. They are easier to ignore before you see their faces. It
is easier to pretend that they’re not real before you hold them in your arms.
But once you do, everything changes.” Allow those words to sink in. That statement is SO powerful, and I can promise you it is SO true.
As much as it pains me to say this (and I hope that this
comment doesn’t offend any of my readers), I feel as a culture, we have become
quite “numb” to seeing these nameless orphans. We have grown used to see
shirtless children with distended stomachs. So much so, that I would be willing
to bet that it almost doesn’t even register in our minds as heartbreaking. I know that I may
sound harsh at this moment, but I am stepping on my own toes as well. We see
clips of third world counties on the news and don’t fully feel the “pang”
that poverty should bring to our souls. What if we knew the name of each child living in poverty that we were exposed to? Would they seem more real to us?
Would the reality of poverty be more real to you if you could snuggle with one
of these precious children? The answer to all of those questions is yes. I know
that it is the answer, because I have been there. I have heard the names of “the
least of these” children and I have snuggled them in my arms, or spun them
around in circle as we have danced.
They all have a name. They are NOT the nameless – even though
sometimes it may feel that way. They not only have a name, but they have a
purpose. Today I was given the opportunity to help be a apart of one of these
children’s purpose.
My Haiti-sister, Paige tagged me a post from a young man
named Luke who recently returned from a trip to PAP, Haiti. In Luke’s post he
told the story of Nixon, who lives a top Cha-Cha Mountain. Luke was working on
the building project that Haiti Under God has been working on for a few years on the mountain
– and it is looking wonderful! Cha-Cha is such a fun place to be. I remember
having a blast with the children the trip that the team I was with travelled up
Cha-Cha, and Luke’s experience seemed to be very similar.
While fellowshipping with
the children, Luke met a very special boy named Nixon. Nixon lost his mother to
a complicated sickness when he was a young boy, and his father in the PAP
earthquake in 2010, so he now lives with his elderly grandmother. I doubt that any of us
can truly understand the level of poverty that Nixon and his grandmother face
each day. Because of the starvation and
malnourishment that he has been subjected to, Nixon’s skin is cracked, and his
stomach is bloated. He has also had delayed growth development – looking several
years younger than that age he is (12 years old).
Thankfully, God placed Luke and Nixon’s paths together so
that Luke could help tell Nixon’s story. Pastor Maxeau, one of our trusted
connections in Haiti, stays in contact with the people of Cha-Cha Mountain, and
has offered to take Nixon to PAP (probably a 5 hour trip from Cha-Cha,
including time spent walking/riding a donkey down the mountain) to have him medically checked. It is feared that Nixon may have worms, among other things,
that need to be treated ASAP. Maxeau has
also offered to help purchase food and/or livestock for the family so they can become
sustainable livers. Nixon was given the opportunity to attend school for the
first time this year (he is starting in K-5), and he also attends church on
Cha-Cha.
As we all know, getting things like this accomplished takes money. I
am asking you to prayerfully consider choosing to be a part of helping Nixon
achieve his purpose in life, by helping meet some of the basic needs that he
and his grandmother have. If you feel a tug on your heart to help Nixon,
donations can be made on Haiti Under God’s website at www.haitiundergod.org (put Nixon in the
donation designation area, and 100% of the funds will go towards Nixon’s care).
If would like to hear more about Nixon’s story, contact Luke at
LukeSteen123@gmail.com .
These are pictures of orphans. Of scenes that we all may have become used to seeing – never wondering these children’s names. But they have names. Nixon has a name. Sema has a name. But most importantly, love has a name, and that name is Jesus. Show love today. Show Him today.
Blessings,
Hannah
Here is a link to Luke's Facebook if you would like to read more about Nixon - https://www.facebook.com/luke.steen.7.
