A Gentle Tug...

Somehow Ellen managed to get to the front of the line for the PopTarts treat.


Upon arriving at the Transitional Orphan Village our interaction with kids began rather quickly. Who needed transition time..After all, this was the reason we were there. After putting our backpacks up in our rooms we went down and met our new friends. Little did we know that these next 5 days would impact our lives in profound ways. I think it's safe to say that every person there, whether a "newby" or experienced Global Orphan person were impacted in rather significant ways in those few short days. Immediately I was swarmed with kids, each wanting to be picked up, hugged, introduced and loved on. Within seconds I had 1 in each arm and several attached to each leg. Before to long I felt a gentle hand brush against mine and looked down to find a small girl had grabbed my two fingers. She looked at me with large eyes, full of hope and curiosity....longing for some attention and TLC. I looked down at her...sizing her up, thinking in my mind that I should've picked her up first since she was a bit smaller than the two I already had in my arms. I introduced myself and asked her what her name was. This quick introduction happened fairly quickly and within minutes I had more kids asking for my name, introducing themselves, touching my hair, feeling my face and skin...just looking for some attention. Another round of introductions, and the commonly asked phrase "Oh, you speak French?" Then I felt it again...a gentle tug on my fingers. All along Ellen had held on, hoping that I'd set the heavier kids down and somehow pick her up in my arms and love on her. I looked down at her again...eyes full of hope and curiosity. This pattern continued on for about 20 or 30 minutes before my arms couldn't take it any longer and I set the older kids down. Within seconds Ellen was in my arms. I held her close and asked her questions. I got no answers. In my mind I wondered why she wanted so much attention and held my fingers for so long hoping I'd pick her up yet refused to talk to me? It only took 15 minutes for her to lay her head down and fall asleep in my arms. No conversation, no response to my questions, no smiles... just plain TLC. I wondered if she would find me the next day, I wondered what her story was, I wondered what she'd seen and been through in her young life.

Ellen did manage to find me each day and she also managed to fall asleep in my arms at least 1 time a day. It was a beautiful. The talking and jabbering started the 2nd day and while I didn't understand alot of what she said, I was overjoyed that she was speaking. You see, Ellen had lost both parents (pre-earthquake) and has been at the TOV for a little over 4 months. She has refused to talk, I'm guessing due to all the trauma she has seen and experienced. Regardless, this precious gift from God has started to heal and is talking. What a miracle!

Little did I realize that Ellen would teach me a profound lesson about love. You see, what Ellen reminded me was that her desire for my attention is just like God's desire for my attention. He holds my hand patiently through life and tugs consistently, trying desperately to get me to "pick him up" and involved him closely in my life. And when that happens...REST happens. You see, Ellen fell asleep knowing she was loved and that for that 1 day she was special and a prized posession. Don't get me wrong, her Mamma's love her and care for her every day and they do an amazing job! But these are the things little Ellen taught me. Love is simple. It's a gentle touch, a tug on the fingers, hoping for some love and attention from a God who desires to give us His VERY BEST!