Let me tell you about a boy. He is a boy that lives oceans apart from me, that I think about everyday. I see a quiet confidence in his teary eyes as they look up at me. I can't tell you exactly what he is thinking, but I am pretty sure I can see his heart through those eyes. But what I can tell you is much of what those eyes are teaching me still.
Abneezer is a young boy with what I would consider to be a very heavy weight on his shoulders and a quiet confidence in his heart. He lives with his mother and sister in a small home they have put together on land they do not own. They are squatting on government land in what you and I would call a 'lean to.' At any given time, the government may come in and rightfully reclaim their space, leaving them with nothing. My initial perspective was that they would be left with nothing. But my initial perspective includes space...stuff...and food. Abneezer's perspective is more mature. He is proud of his home and cares more about the happiness of his mother and sister. When we met him, he smiled big and in clear English said to my husband, "Welcome to my home, sir."As our group entered his humble home, he was nothing but smiles looking up at us. Maybe it was innocence of youth, but he certainly was aware of what his mother was saying to us at the same time. Her story she shared with us was no light matter; we were all in tears. Abneezer's mother and sister are ill, and they cannot afford the necessary medical care, nor is there easy access to it.
We stood with our arms around each other crying, even though I can't say exactly what for. I could have been crying for the harsh reality of her situation. I could have been crying for the ache in her heart and because she was crying. I could have been crying for the brokenness of my own heart and the silly complications I needlessly add to it. Or it could have been all of these things. As we cried, she spoke of her recent feelings of fear and loneliness in facing the future. But then she continued her perspective... a group traveling across the ocean to meet her and the staff she connects with at Children's HopeChest in Burayu, she no longer felt alone. She knew of a much larger community of people who care for and pray for her family, despite the ocean in the middle of it all.
Abneezer's eyes looked up at us and seemed to say that he too understood they were not alone. His eyes were blood shot from holding back the tears, but they still smiled at you with a strange peace in his heart. I saw Abneezer again the next day at the Kale Hiwot Church CarePoint location. He was our biggest fan for getting his picture taken again and again, often returning to the back of the line to await another turn. But what was most striking was how throughout the day I would have a little hand come up from behind, grasp my hand and give a little squeeze. He didn't need to be seen or given attention, as he was often already engaged in another conversation or activity with a buddy. He would just reach out, simply hold my hand and exchange that smile behind his tear filled eyes with me as if to say 'I notice you are here.' I love that little boy and he will always have a piece of my heart. I am honored to have met him, to learn from him, and to help solidify his connection to the dedicated staff at the Burayu CarePoint. His face and his grasp is a continual reminder to me to keep my perspective real and grounded, to value relationship and to smile upon one another in love.
Abneezer's mother expressed that when she was invited to be a part of the Children's HopeChest Burayu Community, she was aware that the government was profiling kids most eligible for the program and that this could potentially trip up her housing situation as she squats on the government's land. The risk of losing her family home was worth the risk compared to what they would gain from entering into relationship with Children's HopeChest. I'm gonna say that again since it sinks in deeper with me every time I send a child's photo from the trip to his/her sponsor. The risk of losing her home was outweighed by the reward of gaining relationship with Children's HopeChest. Welcome aboard our community, my friends. We are so glad you are here to join us.
Meet Abneezer's family:
