The Line

My article this time does not include pictures because they are not allowed in the orphanages. Since I returned to the island two months ago I have been longing to serve at an orphanage. The one I have gone to for six years is now closed and the children have all been moved to various foster homes and orphanages. It is very difficult to be accepted as a volunteer , especially as a non-Jamaican, because so many in the past have gone in only to scope out the children to illegally adopt or sell.

My friend, Yvonnie,  who I live with here, is a manager in the Child Development Agency and was able to get me in. When we follow the mandate God has on our life His favor precedes our every step. I really give God thanks.

There were 62 children from newborn to age 8 but most seemed to be ages 2 or 3. I sang a few worship songs with my guitar and told them how much Jesus loves each one of them. I then lost my captive  audience as it was time for the snack, popcorn. I sat down by one of the workers and picked up a baby that was sitting at my feet crying. She was so beautiful and stopped crying the minute I picked her up. Then I noticed a line of 15 children or so forming in front of my chair. The first girl in line must have been about 7 so I whispered to her,”Why are the children lining up?” She looked at me with wide eyes, then leaned into me and said softly,”They need a hug.”

Well the tears flooded my eyes as I took each one up into my lap for a minute or two and then had to get on to the next one. I thought about how much Jesus loved being around the children and about the famous painting where Jesus is surrounded by children. Lord, God thank you for your children! Their wide, innocent eyes, their tears, their laughter and their unconditional love.

I have scheduled to go each Tuesday so this week I will bring powdered baby milk and bananas. They do not have enough food for the children as the government gives them one monetary amount per month regardless of the number of children they have. The level of poverty is very high so the enrollment at the orphanages continues to grow. They come from abusive homes, their parents are in prison or have just abandoned them for drugs or lack the funds to provide for them.

As I fell asleep Tuesday night I found myself wondering if we would be lined up at the throne one day and when Jesus asks,”Why are they lined up?” I’ll lean in and whisper,”We need a hug.”