A Giggle of Joy
by Robyn
Last week I met a boy who stole my heart. He’s a two and a half year old boy named Rafile (that’s just a guess at the spelling). I first noticed him last week during our daily morning feeding routine. He sat there quietly with his huge brown eyes just starring and starring. When I picked him up he immediately wrapped his entire limp body around me and lay his head down on my chest. He just lay there until I had to put him down. This became a daily routine.
When I asked one of the Sisters (this is the name they use for all for the caregivers in the Hospice) about his story she told me he’d been at Sparrow off and on for the past 4 months or so. Apparently his mother had also been a patient at the Hospice but had died not too long ago. As the story so frequently goes, Rafile was left in the hands of his grandmother. With insufficient means to provide for him, Rafile returned to Sparrow soon after- malnourished and dehydrated. The Sister told me when she comes to visit you can sometimes catch a smile, but other then that he stays pretty quiet and reserved.
This broke my heart. This little boy looked as if he could never smile again. I have never seen a more sad, depressed baby. His face was engrained in my mind, but I was at a loss of what to do. How do you comfort such feelings of abandonment for a two year old boy? The only comfort I knew was to hold him and pray over him.
Yet in the past few days Kaili and I have noticed some changes in this boy, and today I walked into a wonderful surprise. I spent 45 minutes with a laughing, giggling, and squealing little boy! It was amazing.
It may have been a freak moment of happiness, but to know that God can bring those moments of joy amongst such feelings of heartache, is a wonderful thing. It was a wonderful reminder that God does know our pain and does care for each and every one of us.
A couple of girls from the Orphanage came to visit the babies tonight when I was there as well. One of them stole my camera right out of my pocket and luckily grabbed this shot of smiling Rafile and I.
5 comments
Hey there Robin,
My heart ached and leaped at your story. May God continue to give you strength to love and cherish His kids. Made me think of Isaiah 1:17 (NLT)
learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.* Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
* Or / rebuke the oppressor
Thinking of you guys and praying for you.
Jon
Thanks for telling this story, Robyn.
The hardest thing for you and Kai will be leaving these precious little ones.
Robyn this story brought tears to my eyes… ones of sorrow and of joy. Awful to think that there must be so many other little boys and girls feeling as he does.
To think how wonderful that must have been for Rafile to feel comfortable and safe in your arms to the point that he could enjoy a giggle
Looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks!
God has designed resiliency into our spirits. We can overcome our pain and loss when people come alongside us to encourage us. The sad thing is that you will be leaving him, and he’ll go into another cycle of loss. I pray that others will come into his life as you have.
Robyn, your little friend is truly a “sparrow” who God loves dearly. I was touched by your description of this little lad and the pain and torment of his young life. I pray that God will watch over you and Kaili, all the children and staff at Sparrow Village and Orphanage, but especially this little boy who has found a place in your heart. Love, Dad and Mom.
Leave a Comment