My Butterfly

Once upon a time there was a Haitian butterfly that came to preschool at Maranatha. She was sweet and shy and from day one I fell in love with her as we sat and sang songs from assembly that were stuck in my head.

She looked up at me with her big brown eyes and a smile slowly creeping from lips. "mwen pa vle, mwen pa vle" (I don't want) her little hands trying to hold mine down "Oh, ok I won't.... TICKLE YOU!" her laugh went flying into the hot air as she squirmed on my lap with the biggest smile! I couldn't continue tickling her as her laugh was contagious and I held her close as we laughed long and hard. When she caught her breath she looked up at me and whispered "Mwen pa vle" her eyes sparkling with laughter and the game continued.

When we couldn't laugh anymore and everyone had finished eating and recess was under way she caught my long bangs in her hand and began to make a twist; being ever so gentle. When she was done she showed off her handiwork; a look of pride on her face, I thanked her and pulled her into a big hug telling her thank you and telling her what a good job she'd done she stayed on my lap the whole period and it was hard to send her into class but giving her an encouraging smile I let her go.

After that she'd walk through the gate and I'd shout her name and call out good morning to her, that shy smile would poke through as she'd nod and place her back pack on the bench before coming to give me a huge hug! My Kreyol was limited to a couple words, but it was ok because she just wanted to be held and loved on and so I did my best.

As the weeks flew by and she'd made friends with the other girls in her class and became more outgoing and that Haitian Sassafras, as I like to call it, had really begun to show in her. Several weeks ago though she came to me as I sat with my back to the big kids table playing a game with some of the little 2 year olds that were seated outside, quietly little arms wrapped around my neck and she rested her delicate chin on them and my shoulder, I knew instantly that it was my butterfly "Mwen renmen ou" (I love you) I said patting her arm and rest my head against hers, she didn't speak. I tried to twist around to look at her but she held me close, I tickled her and she squirmed enough to loosen her arms so that I could swing her around to my lap "Ou byen?" (are you well?) she nodded but I could tell in her eyes that things were not right. I held her close and sang to her and she picked up on the words and tried to sing with me. I didn't know why but my heart was aching for this little girl.

At the meeting with the teachers I found out that my little butterfly had a hard homelife, some things had happened that should never happen to little children and it brought us all to halt. I couldn't wrap my mind around it, "Theres gotta be a mistake, who would do that to this sweet sweet adorable girl?" but my heart new it was true and when she didn't come to school for a little over a week I was sick with worry and fear for her. We continued lifting her up in prayer and when my butterfly walked in a little late one morning a cried with joy!

I wish I could say "and she continues to grow and smile and dance in the sunshine here at Maranatha and I hold her close and kiss her every day" But sadly this is not the end to this story. Two weeks ago something horrible happened and my butterfly is missing. I don't know where she is or what is happening to her and once again it's hard to process... but my name is Hope and I hope for the absolute best, I know that no matter what God is holding her and looking out for her and though it's painful and hard to understand I've given my worries to Him.

Please join me in prayer for these particular things that God has really laid on my heart:
 She will be returned to her mother
That God would touch her fathers heart and make a radical God glorifying change
She and her brother would be safe
That if there is someone who can help God would give them the courage to act
And that she would feel God's love and peace in her life

This story is far from finished help me pray and lift this beautiful butterfly and her family upto our loving Father who sees and knows all

He "is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" Ephesians 3:20