As she reached out her hand to grasp the one next to her, I watched as the other child pulled theirs away, not phased she reached again and my heart began to crack as the other child switched places in line. I called for them to go back to their place and hold hands with her and my blood boiled as I watched the other child stick their tongue out and shudder as they placed two fingers in her open hand then draw them back laughing. Like a mama bear I ran to her defense and after an apology had been given my heart completely broke when I turned back to see her smiling her wide toothy smile that reaches her big brown eyes; not the least bit phased as she's dealt with this her whole life.
I love this little girl.
She's beautiful, in her little short dresses, frilly socks and short; sometimes clipped and ribboned hair, she greets everyone with a smile and no matter what is going on in her life; if you ask her if she's ok she will always reply that she is doing well. I'm always ecstatic to see her as she seems to fill the whole yard with sunshine when she walks past the tall black gate and comes running into my arms. Her little brother shortly behind her; she always makes sure he has time with Hope too.
She's beautiful, from the inside out she seems to glow with constant happiness and love. She loves to sit with me as we play Giant Duck Duck Goose or she waits her turn for Bike Races. She snuggles close watching intently and helping to cheer people on. A small giggle will escape her lips as I tickle her; but the longer I tickle her the bigger it grows until it's a full laugh as she squirms on my lap, her little nose scrunched up and her head thrown back.
She's beautiful and gentle; her small hands always manage to find my long bangs that are pulled back, gently she braids or twists the strands, the only time I've seen her snap is when someone grabs it from her and she knows it hurts me or they begin playing with my ponytail and are not as gentle as she is.
She's beautiful and her heart is kind; as she's chosen last and her partner is rarely thrilled she gives them an encouraging smile. When they shove her away from them she innocently steps forward to see and fix whatever she's done wrong; though there isn't a mean bone in her body. As I watched this scene play out in dance class I couldn't take it and as class was already underway, her partner was sent to time out as I took her partners vacant place and danced with her instead. Though she's one of the youngest in the class she picks things up quickly and will say the motions in both Kreyol and English. After the class finished, I pulled her partner aside and talked with her partner; however when she was told to apologize she refused. Hurting, I apologized for her and then with a conflicted mind I asked her partner whether she thought she should be allowed to ride a bicycle today, to which she slowly shook her head "No." However; I felt the choice was up to her partner and my eyes filled with tears as I asked the question and immediately she nodded a vigorous "yes" I gently kissed her forehead and whispered in her ear that she was the most beautiful little girl.
It's easy to retaliate; to push back and say "I deserve better than that!" after all it's the survival of the fittest that we're trying to achieve out there right? Oh, wait; no, no its not. People have a way of annoying, frustrating and hurting us and we find it easier to "Get even" rather than "Forgive 'em". We let these little and sometimes big issues blind us from seeing the opportunity to be light in a dark situation. Light is warm and inviting not harsh and condescending. When children pull and twist her finger she could push and pull right back, when children refuse to hold hands she could get angry, but this beautiful Haitian girl has chosen to be more than that. She is a living example of "Do unto others as you would have them do to you", a shining example of love and grace.
She's treated differently all because of a small 6th finger on her left hand connected to the knuckle of her pinky finger.
"Hold hands because it keeps you close with the people you love" This has probably been said before but this came to me the other day as I was thinking of the lessons all the children in my life have taught me. I love this little girl and I know her Father loves her and holds her hand gently in His own in a daily basis.
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
Serving
He called us out onto the water, the great unknown where feet may fail; and we found Him in the mystery of everyday, in oceans deep our faith stood. And we called upon His name and kept our eyes above the waves, when oceans rose we rested in His embrace; for we are His and He is ours.
The first week of March the Tlucek household and a team of 14 from Ecola Bible School stepped out of the boat onto the water as we put together a fun filled week serving the staff that works at Maranatha and their families. The Tluceks had never done anything like this before but Shelley kept saying that she knew God had given her this idea and looking back we know it was definitely His plan.
We split everyone up into groups and I was part of the kitchen crew; making food, doing dishes, sweeping the floor and serving? No big deal right? Well, we had 60 or more people everyday and were constantly running from one thing to the next. There was an endless stream of dishes to be washed and dried, vegetables to be cut and something to be stirred. As I washed, sliced, stirred, mixed ingredients, moped the floor and my body became weary, my neck and shoulders began to tense and my feet ache I found myself becoming more and more appreciative of the ladies that work in the kitchen and clean here. The kitchen becomes an oven whenever the stove or oven is on and yet Emony always has a smile on her face; though the dishes pile up she doesn't complain and continues on in song. I want to be like that.
I was asked to help teach a friendship bracelet class for the ladies in the afternoon. Watching their eyes light up as they figured out how to tie the colorful yarn and how excited they got when they could see the pattern in the bracelet as they worked was so much fun to see! Lots of laughs were shared as we figured out the best way to explain how to tie the knots and sometimes I would switch words in Kreyol and I wouldn't make any sense. The ladies were all very gracious though.
There was also a cake decorating station, a jewelry making station; where they could make bracelets necklaces and earrings and a duct tape wallet station; the team brought lots of fun colorful ductape and the ladies had a blast!
The men, boys and older girls made pinewood derby cars through-out the week
At the end of the week we were all drained but full of the peace and joy that comes with serving. I thank God for each and everyone of the staff that works at Maranatha, they really shine His love and it's such a huge blessing to know them.
The first week of March the Tlucek household and a team of 14 from Ecola Bible School stepped out of the boat onto the water as we put together a fun filled week serving the staff that works at Maranatha and their families. The Tluceks had never done anything like this before but Shelley kept saying that she knew God had given her this idea and looking back we know it was definitely His plan.
We split everyone up into groups and I was part of the kitchen crew; making food, doing dishes, sweeping the floor and serving? No big deal right? Well, we had 60 or more people everyday and were constantly running from one thing to the next. There was an endless stream of dishes to be washed and dried, vegetables to be cut and something to be stirred. As I washed, sliced, stirred, mixed ingredients, moped the floor and my body became weary, my neck and shoulders began to tense and my feet ache I found myself becoming more and more appreciative of the ladies that work in the kitchen and clean here. The kitchen becomes an oven whenever the stove or oven is on and yet Emony always has a smile on her face; though the dishes pile up she doesn't complain and continues on in song. I want to be like that.
There was also a cake decorating station, a jewelry making station; where they could make bracelets necklaces and earrings and a duct tape wallet station; the team brought lots of fun colorful ductape and the ladies had a blast!
One of the girls on the Ecola team taught swimming lessons and the Tluckes oldest daughter taught CPR.
The last day I gave a Zumba workshop which was incredibly fun! While I do dance three times a week with the pre-schoolers I hadn't had a chance to really dance, so it was fun to teach the ladies and to also be able to just let go and dance, laugh and enjoy each others company.
We had a wonderful Haitian Pastor that lives in Chicago come down and do Bible classes with everyone. It was a lot of the staffs favorite part to be taught in their own language and to have good sound teaching. God really blessed everyone through Pastor Louie and he is such a sweet and godly man.
At the end of the week we were all drained but full of the peace and joy that comes with serving. I thank God for each and everyone of the staff that works at Maranatha, they really shine His love and it's such a huge blessing to know them.
Wednesday, March 12, 2014
Just One
There are days when I struggle.
Shocking I know but yes, I, Hope Ruebke struggle and this twisting of my heart and wrenching of my stomach take place when I see injustice and its just simply not enough to help one child; I want to help them all.
There's so much need in every child that I see; yes some are more needy than others but they're all beautiful and amazing children and I just want to protect them, to give them pure love, to help them to grow both physically and mentally with God. It's a huge task; one that can and will leave you weary thinking of everything that needs to be done.
The little girl of three sisters that attend the school cut her arm several weeks ago; they brought her to us and we were able to take her next door to have stitches placed. But, the wound was not taken care of properly. So, my fellow intern and I have been diligently caring for her arm at the end of the day these past weeks and praise God it is healing much faster. She doesn't cry when we clean her wound, she will turn away and begin to rub the back of who ever is holding her, usually James, she will squeeze her eyes shut and lean heavily into his chest, but no tears, no cries. She is incredibly strong girl, her home life is hard; I ask for prayer for this beautiful girl and her sisters. James and I have been walking them home from school a big part of the reason is because we really can't say goodbye to them.
I also treated another little girl yesterday; but not for a cut. There are sores all over legs that she has scratched and rubbed so badly it's hard to distinguish whether they are ringworm, boils or eczema and they may very well be all. But, I placed medicine on all of her sores (I couldn't count how many there were) placed bandages and we were able to find her a pair of pants to cover them up as well as to keep her from scratching. This girl is also cross-eyed and I've been giving the job of placing a patch on her eye and switching it through-out the day; I love her so much and she reminds me of one of the kids I used to babysit as well as teach dance too. She came today wearing the pants which I was extremely grateful for as I wasn't sure what her parents would think as she is usually in a dress. Please keep her in your prayers as well.
I have story after story of hard home lives, sickness and behavior that causes us to worry. I didn't imagine that I would be holding children with burning fevers, treating children for different things and mending clothing and shoes as they break apart. But this is where God has called me. It's easy to turn a blind eye and only see their beautiful smiling faces that shine no matter what and get caught up in the lie that everything is fine and prayer is not that important but I tell you praying is the most important tool that we have and we don't use the tools we are given we are not working to the best of our abilities and not only do we suffer for it but others as well. James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
I bought a starfish bracelet while I was on the island of Capri, from the pearly bracelet dangle silver starfish and I bought it as a reminder when hard days come to remember that: it matters to the one. Though I want to hold all of the kids; it matters to the one child that is sitting on my lap giggling away or leaning into my chest. Though I want to walk all of the kids home it matters to the one riding on my back or the one cradled in my arms. Though I know there are countless other children in the world what I'm doing here matters to the ones that I am loving on here, in the moment, everyday with His pure and unconditional love.
It's a hard love sometimes but it's love nonetheless.
Shocking I know but yes, I, Hope Ruebke struggle and this twisting of my heart and wrenching of my stomach take place when I see injustice and its just simply not enough to help one child; I want to help them all.
There's so much need in every child that I see; yes some are more needy than others but they're all beautiful and amazing children and I just want to protect them, to give them pure love, to help them to grow both physically and mentally with God. It's a huge task; one that can and will leave you weary thinking of everything that needs to be done.
The little girl of three sisters that attend the school cut her arm several weeks ago; they brought her to us and we were able to take her next door to have stitches placed. But, the wound was not taken care of properly. So, my fellow intern and I have been diligently caring for her arm at the end of the day these past weeks and praise God it is healing much faster. She doesn't cry when we clean her wound, she will turn away and begin to rub the back of who ever is holding her, usually James, she will squeeze her eyes shut and lean heavily into his chest, but no tears, no cries. She is incredibly strong girl, her home life is hard; I ask for prayer for this beautiful girl and her sisters. James and I have been walking them home from school a big part of the reason is because we really can't say goodbye to them.
I also treated another little girl yesterday; but not for a cut. There are sores all over legs that she has scratched and rubbed so badly it's hard to distinguish whether they are ringworm, boils or eczema and they may very well be all. But, I placed medicine on all of her sores (I couldn't count how many there were) placed bandages and we were able to find her a pair of pants to cover them up as well as to keep her from scratching. This girl is also cross-eyed and I've been giving the job of placing a patch on her eye and switching it through-out the day; I love her so much and she reminds me of one of the kids I used to babysit as well as teach dance too. She came today wearing the pants which I was extremely grateful for as I wasn't sure what her parents would think as she is usually in a dress. Please keep her in your prayers as well.
I have story after story of hard home lives, sickness and behavior that causes us to worry. I didn't imagine that I would be holding children with burning fevers, treating children for different things and mending clothing and shoes as they break apart. But this is where God has called me. It's easy to turn a blind eye and only see their beautiful smiling faces that shine no matter what and get caught up in the lie that everything is fine and prayer is not that important but I tell you praying is the most important tool that we have and we don't use the tools we are given we are not working to the best of our abilities and not only do we suffer for it but others as well. James 5:16 "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
I bought a starfish bracelet while I was on the island of Capri, from the pearly bracelet dangle silver starfish and I bought it as a reminder when hard days come to remember that: it matters to the one. Though I want to hold all of the kids; it matters to the one child that is sitting on my lap giggling away or leaning into my chest. Though I want to walk all of the kids home it matters to the one riding on my back or the one cradled in my arms. Though I know there are countless other children in the world what I'm doing here matters to the ones that I am loving on here, in the moment, everyday with His pure and unconditional love.
It's a hard love sometimes but it's love nonetheless.
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