Mama

"Mamma....Mamma...Mamma...." She cries over and over this word: Mamma. 


    It's Christmas Eve and I'm at the Children's Home helping to put the kids to bed so we can sort and display their gifts for Christmas morning. I'm held up by a room of 5 excited little girls who are running around and squealing with delight because it’s Christmas Eve and well, what little girl isn’t so excited they can’t sleep on Christmas Eve?! I finally got them all into bed and hugged and kissed (at least 5 times each!) and finally… it got quiet.

 

That’s when she started to cry.

 

     This sweet girl is chronologically 9 years old but physically more like 6 years old and mentally somewhere in between. This child spent the first 8 years of her life living in severe poverty.  She has stunted growth from lack of nutrition and nurturing love and care. Their mother died when this girl was 5 years old. Two other children in their family died from poverty related illnesses as well. The younger children couldn’t walk (although they were 7, 8, and 9 years old) because of their malnourishment. After this child and her 3 siblings came to Helping Hands, their father also died of lung cancer. Soon after the death of their father, the 3 older siblings of these children also joined them at our recovery home. Once these older teens were well they were moved into independent living programs as they are nearly adults. The younger children are now for adoption but miss their parents and older siblings. It could have been worse, but I think it’s fair to say this child has had a rough life. Despite all this, this child is loving, sweet, and caring. Surely despite their difficult situation, her family must have shown her love and care as best they could.


     This child is thriving in the Children’s Home. She is learning and growing physically, mentally and spiritually. She smiles and sings all the time. She is a joyful and loving child and yet she still carries this pain; this deep hurt that causes her to cry at night. 

“Mamma…Mamma….Mamma….” In repeated, clam yet melancholy crying.



Is it the cry of a child who misses her biological mother?

Is it the cry of a child who has lost so much of her family?

Is it the cry of a child longing for a new mother?

Is it the cry of a child who has experienced so much heartache she just doesn’t even know what to cry so she cries the most natural word a child can cry?


     My heart aches as a sit in the darkness and listen to her cry. I kiss her forehead and stroke her hair, back and arms as in as mothering a way as I know how. I whisper, “It’s ok, you are safe, you are loved, God loves you, I love you.” Even another girl in the room sits up and says, “It’s ok because Jesus and God love you.” Oh these sweet children. They each have their own story, their own scars and burdens to carry but I pray they all know that they are safe, they are loved and God is taking care of them.

     I have hope for these girls; I have hope for all the children in this home. Yet, in the dark, in the sad moments when a sweet child cannot be consoled and just needs to cry “Mamma” how can your heart not break?  I hurt as much for her as for the other girls in the room who also long for a Mamma too.  I wish my love for them could satisfy all their needs.

     I sit in the dark stroking her sweat damp hair and pray for her. I pray for her peace, for comfort, for healing and for her future family. Some say this child and her 3 siblings will be difficult to find a family for. I disagree. Sure, they are a large group and 3 have some special needs but I know without a doubt that God is preparing a very special family for them.  Until then, though, I’ll give her extra attention, extra hugs and kisses and extra prayers.


     If you are crying and hurting for this child and children like her, take heart; the children in our home and so many other homes around the world are loved, cherished and cared for while they are in our care. They truly are making great improvement and developing into loved children. This child and all the rest in our home have their hard moments, their hurt and sadness but mostly their days are carefree and filled with joy, love and laughter. I can't post pictures for their privacy but if I did you would see joy and life in their eyes. When a child is loved, they come alive and our children are alive. There is a very clear process our children go through from when they come to us and when they leave and this child is on her way to healing.



     Will you join me in praying for these children around the world who are waiting for a family?  Will you also join me in supporting families who are adopting or who have adopted? It is a long and expensive journey and the journey isn’t over once they get their child home. They need people who will listen, who will support them and who will understand their unique situation.