A shorter bridge to cross

Today was one of those days that almost seems surreal.  Was this really happening or was it too good to be true?  Were we really watching our precious children, once Brazilian orphans, showing a compassion deeper than any of the rest of us were even capable of as they hugged and held and played with some of the fatherless here in Manaus?  Yes!  Yes! Yes! 

Today was a day we've dreamed of as our desire for our little oaks of righteousness (Isaiah 61) to return to their roots with empathy for those not as fortunate as they have been began to be realized.  

At the two orphanages we found a total of over 50 precious children no less worthy of love than our own, who still wait for the love of a forever family.  We found tired workers sowing the seeds of The Father's love in the soil of these little broken hearts.  And we found abounding joy in the eyes of those who poured out love and of those who received it.

As these eleven people were the hands and feet of Jesus to some of the least of these today, there were three among us who took this all in through a different lens than the rest.  I think that the love that poured through them came from a well that ran a bit deeper than the rest of ours. 

The Father to the fatherless sent the rescued to the waiting to remind them of how precious they are.  No stirring testimonies were shared to let the little ones know that these three truly understood their plight, but there is a language deeper than words. The bridge between these hearts was a much shorter one to cross. 

We have enjoyed some sweet moments of connection with our kids ourselves and I'm still not sure who is more grateful for each other, the kids or the parents.

Surveying these pictures, may you never forget what pure religion really is, "visiting orphans and widows in their distress and keeping oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27

Please pray for us tomorrow as we visit another orphanage and some needy indigenous communities here in Manaus.