Ari's Orphanage Trip
Check out Ari Herrera's report from the recent trip to an "orphanage" that Ari coordinated for a local group of school kids. As you may recall, Ari is on staff with HCCM. She occasionally coordinates trips for those groups or individuals desiring to get involved to help at orphanages or other means of assisting the abandoned children of Panama. Below is her account of the days' events, a day that forever impacted a group of 4th graders to understand the faces of the orphan, the malnourished, the needy...
The CCA 4th grade student teacher contacted HCCM asking if we could help them coordinate a visit to a nearby orphanage. As it turned out the orphanage they had in mind was having renovations done and the children were sent away to another house. But I remembered a Children's Home we visited in the past few months while scouting the local orphanages for ways HCCM can help. Although they are not listed as an "orphanage", Nutrehogar has 27 babies and toddlers living with them-- all because their parents were not able to care for them properly and the children were severely malnourished. Three of these children are special needs boys, diagnosed with cerebral palsy, having been abandoned by their family because of their special needs and all 3 have been declared adoptable. The rest of the babies and toddlers are literally being nursed back to life, and if so then the plan is to return these children to their families and make space for new babies.
The fourth grade class met me at the facility with their teacher, Abby Spencer, and other participants. They arrived filled with expectations and beautiful smiles. They received a tour of the institution, met the children and received an explanation as to why these children were there. They even witnessed a mom from the Panamanian indigenous group Guaymi that was preparing to leave her child at this center. After the Q and A, the children got back into their vehicle and headed back to school. I could not express their experience, better than their teacher, so I will not attempt to. This is part of what she wrote to us:
"I cannot thank you enough for all of your help in being a part of today. It was a beautiful example and reminder of God's grace and redemption.
I wanted to fill you in on what you didn't see upon our return. The mood in our class was very somber upon our return. Brynna (Teacher's Assistant) and I spent some time having the students verbally reflect and share their observations and the impact of today.
Many of them shared their conflicting feelings of sadness for the children being away from their families and thankfulness that there is a place to take care of them and help.
Many tears were shed and faces are now imprinted in their minds. The idea of adoption, orphans, abandonment, needy, malnutrition are no longer mere concepts in their minds; now there are faces attached to those ideas.
Our time finished with journaling. Many of them chose to write prayers as their way of processing, reflecting, and sharing. It is powerful.
As the Lord brings it to mind, please continue to pray that today would not become another memory, but would motivate students, families, and us to action. Many of them wrote, "What can I do now?" YES! This is where it moves from heart to mind to hands! This group is very special and I believe, world changers for Jesus. And it can start now.
Thank you for playing such an integral part in today and being used mightily by the Lord. I am so proud to be part of this family of Jesus with you!
May God be praised!"
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