Julie was so excited she ran, with Pastor and Daya jogging to keep up. She was so glad to see the children. The dump’s stench could still knock her over, but she hadn’t realized that it was no longer abhorrent to her.
Lord, You are so good. I griped and complained, and all the while You had the plan. I was sleeping next to Your solution. It was just a few blocks away, and I didn’t believe You would do it. She paused and looked up. I never thought I’d say it, but thanks for uprooting me and bringing me to an Indian dump. It’s my dump, and these are my children.”
Julie shouted, “Jesus has done a miracle.” The children within hearing distance came running.
“Did He provide manna for us like He did the children of Israel?” asked Ravi, wide-eyed. This caused Pastor, Daya, and Julie to laugh in their punch-drunk state.
“No, Ravi, it’s better. Jesus has answered our prayers, and He has provided a large house for you to live in.” Ravi stopped translating and looked to Julie, thinking he had misunderstood.
“It’s true, Ravi. I saw it myself. It’s the house where we picked berries, and we are going to have a big meal there tonight, and you never have to sleep at this dump again because Jesus loves you so much.” Ravi translated, and some of the children just stared, not understanding the ramifications, and with others, all pandemonium broke loose, jumping, yelling, and hugging.
“Pastor Kandal and his church members have been working to fix the house, and it’s ready. Let’s go!”
Everyone was happy, jumping, laughing, and hugging as they moved together as a group down the street. Julie looked back and saw Sapna standing by herself at the dump. Julie motioned, and she slowly followed behind. When they arrived, quiet little Nilaya looked closely at the beautiful flowers growing on the neighbor’s fence, and rambunctious Wilson ran up several stairs leading to the second story and jumped off whooping and flailing his walking stick.
Lord, it’s not just our fingerprints that You’ve made different, is it? mused Julie.
Pastor Kandal put the key in the lock, and Julie hushed everyone so she could say a prayer.
“Thank You, Jesus, Your Word says that You take care of the orphans and that You are a Father to those who have no father.1 We see the promise come true today. Thank You for answering our prayers,” she gave Sashi a wink, “and amen.” Julie was overcome with the Lord’s goodness.
“Ah-meen,” they replied.
Julie eagerly anticipated the children’s responses. As Pastor turned the doorknob, her face lit up in a radiant smile.
“We will all stay together and go through one room at a time,” said Julie. The minute the door was unlatched, all the children pushed their way through. Julie didn’t see Sapna still lagging behind.
“This is the family hall,” said the pastor. “When you’re not in your room or playing outside, you can come here. Here is the dining room where we will all eat, do our school work, and praise Jesus.”
Julie caught a glimpse of Sapna standing on the porch in tears, looking in. Those aren’t tears of happiness. Julie let Pastor continue with the tour, grabbed Ravi, and put her arm around Sapna.
“What’s wrong?”
“This is not my house because I don’t love Jesus. My father told me that if I stopped being a Hindu, he would have no daughter.”
“Oh, Sapna, you have it backwards; this house is not for everyone who loves Jesus. It is a house for everyone who Jesus loves, and He loves you very much, and He wants you here with your friends.” Sapna smiled.
“I can stay? I can live here, too?”
“Yes, you can, because Jesus loves you so much!
“Come, let’s see the house Jesus has prepared for you.” She grabbed the girl’s hand. “Did you know the Bible says that Jesus is in Heaven preparing a house for each of us so when we come to Him we will have a special place to live?”2 Sapna wiped her eyes, and the three caught up with the group in the boys’ room.
The boys had flopped on the mats and were rolling, wrestling, and laughing. Wilson sucked in a deep breath and let out a Tarzan-like wail before he jumped right in the middle and grabbed Praveen’s leg.
That must be the Hindi word for “Cannonbaaaall,” thought Julie.
“I can’t resist,” blurted Daya as he waded into the group, much to the boys’ delight!
“Krav Maga. Show me, Wilson.” Daya had an impromptu class, and when it was over the boys were lying on the mats panting, except Praveen, who was asking Daya questions about solving crime.
Julie asked Pastor and Daya to teach the boys to shower, shampoo, and use the toilets.
Don’t forget to use the special lice shampoo,” prompted Julie.
The girls all went outside and up the stairs. In about an hour, all the children were clean and wearing new play clothes. Julie even taught the oldest girls how to bathe Shara.
Lord, they are so beautiful. It’s the first time they’ve been clean. They look and smell like angels. I’m the only one still dirty. She literally waltzed into the bathroom.
“Running water in the sink. What a blessing! A western toilet, a double blessing.” She tossed her dress into the trash can. Good riddance to bad rubbish, and I do mean rubbish.
She filled the bucket from the sink and stepped in the shower. I haven’t been clean in weeks. Initially the water running down the drain was brown as she sponged the dirt from her elbows and knees.
“What I took for granted at home! I just never appreciated what I had until I had to do without. Lord, let me never forget Your benefits and blessings again.”
She lathered her hair and emptied the entire bucket over her head.
“Whee, what a luxury. This feels sooo good!” She filled the bucket again. Arm pits, I think I’ll need steel wool to get rid of the smell! Lord, seriously, help me to never take everyday blessings for granted again. She examined her elbows and behind her knees to make sure the creases were really clean. She rinsed thoroughly with a third bucket of water just because she could.
Julie had bought two everyday Punjabis for herself. She admired the hand-embroidered design on the neckline of the pink cotton top. So delicate. She stepped into the drawstring pants and pulled them up. One size fits all. I think I have about 20 extra inches here, she thought as she distributed the gathers. It feels so good to be clean and wearing clean clothes. Then she stepped into a pair of embroidered sandals. And at $19.00 for the whole outfit, including the shoes, Michael would be so proud. Michael, I miss you so much, but I’m too happy right now to be sad. Lord, I trust You to take care of my lambs! Please?
She towel-dried her hair and combed it. I know what I need to do next. She had the girls follow her to the porch. She motioned using her fingers as the scissors on her hair, short, medium, or long? Each girl received a combing and a cut. When she lined them up, they looked adorable. I could adopt them all, she thought, giving them big hugs.
Next the boys came and all received the “bowl” type haircut.
“You all look like fine gentlemen,” she said to Ravi, who relayed the message, causing the “gentlemen” to stand a little taller and push out their chests.
The children were fascinated with the calendars, and they spent time looking at each beautiful page and asking questions of Pastor Kandal. When they were finally done, Julie held up some tacks and let them decide where the calendars would go. They even put the sisters’ calendars in their rooms.
There was a knock on the door. Everyone froze. Pastor jumped up, clapping.
“It’s the food!” The children ran shouting toward the door, but Julie arrived first.
“Remember, we sit at the table and wait for the food to come to us.” She guided them to the dining room, and each one took a seat on a long bench, the boys on one side and the girls on the other. Daya sat on the boys’ bench, and Sammy climbed on his lap and announced, “I’ll eat with you,” and threw his arms around him. Daya smiled broadly. “And I will eat you.” He nibbled on Sammy’s ear and neck as the children pointed and laughed.
Pastor answered the door, and in came a parade of women carrying a veritable feast. As they put the food on the table, the wonderful aromas came up before the children. The pastor instructed them to remain with their hands on their laps.
“Now we will pray. Oh gracious God, thank You for supplying food and shelter for Your children. Thank You for Julie from America and her help. Thank You for all the church members who worked long hours on this house, and thank You for the women who have cooked today. Amen.”
“Ah-meen,” they shouted.
Julie pulled the top off of a large dish and the smell of Tandoori chicken wafted through the air.
“Oh, Praveen, this is for you!”
“Tandoori!” screamed Praveen pointing. “Tandoori!” Julie and Ravi laughed. The next dish was dahl, then butter naan, a flat bread. They eagerly leaned forward as each lid was removed. “Ohhh, ahhhh,” they sounded like children watching a fireworks display.
There was more than enough food. Julie was still lifting lids. There was jadoh, a spicy dish of rice and pork, and several different curries. Many of the children had never seen the different kinds of foods and certainly never in abundance. Pastor and Julie helped with portions as each dish was passed. As Julie moved around the table, she touched, hugged, kissed, or smiled at each orphan. She also introduced the concept of napkins.
Although there was plenty of food, the women did not accept the invitation to eat. They were delighted watching the orphans.
“Slow down, slow down, and enjoy it,” said Julie. “Everyone will get full. Keep your elbows off the table, and everyone make sure your napkin is still in your lap.” The children ate in the traditional Indian way, with their right hands, not using silverware. Julie found a large cooking spoon in the kitchen, preferring to eat with that.
“This is the best meal I have ever had,” shouted Wilson.
“Well, then, thank the Lord and these ladies,” shouted Julie.
“Thank You,” he shouted toward the ceiling and then at the ladies. Everyone laughed.
Julie ignored her food and watched the children. Jesus, You are so good. This is probably the best meal they’ve ever had. Tears welled in her eyes as she watched Shoba eating. Lord, how much longer would she have survived? Look at Sapna, she’s smiling. She actually looks sweet.
After dinner, Daya carried Sammy to meet his wife who had brought part of the meal. “This is Sammy,” he said. Her eyes lit up when Sammy leaned from Daya with his arms outstretched. She grabbed him and held him tight. Sammy wrapped his legs around her waist, buried his face in her hair, and proclaimed, “You smell good,” followed by his big gap-tooth grin.
After dinner the group had a prayer and dedication time for the home, the sisters, and the pastor. Then Julie took the girls and Pastor took the boys and taught them how to brush their teeth and prepare for bed. The concept of putting on different clothes for sleep was hard for Julie to explain. Julie and Pastor went around and tucked all the children in and had a tender time praying for each one of them. Pastor went downstairs for chai, and Julie wanted a little alone time with Ravi.
She sat cross-legged beside his mat and ran her fingers through his black hair. She asked, “Are you still afraid of monsters, Ravi?”
He grinned.
“Not since you prayed for me.”
“We have a big God, don’t we?” asked Julie. “Your gods were many, but had no power, and our God is three in one, but He is all-powerful.” Julie flipped through her Bible and read to Ravi, “‘He holds the ocean in the palms of His hand and He measures the stars with the span of His hands.’3 How big is the sky at night, with all the stars?”
“Too big to calculate in light years,” said Ravi, spreading his arms wide.
Julie was surprised. “You’re quite the little astronomer, Ravi.” He grinned.
“Our God is so big. His hands are as big as the sky. This is the God who loves you, Ravi. Never, ever forget that.” She bent to kiss him good night, and he wrapped his arms tightly around her. She could feel his body relax.
“I love you, Auntie.”
“I love you more, Ravi.”
Lord, how can I ever leave this little one? My heart is breaking even now.
She went downstairs to join Chanda, Champa, Daya, his wife, and Pastor in the dining room sipping chai and talking.
“May I hold Shara?” She gently took her from Champa’s arms. “I saw a sewing machine upstairs,” said Julie.
“Yes, that is the first step in helping the girls learn a trade. Many women in the church are very talented. We will teach the girls to sew, make purses, and do beading. The boys will learn wood, metal, and leather craft. They will practice each day.
“After everyone knows a trade, we will encourage them to continue in education and become leaders in their society. Regardless of their future positions, we train them to enjoy walking in God’s ways. In every aspect of life they learn to carry a spirit of excellence and to see through Jesus’ hope-filled eyes for the people and the world around them.”
“You need to know that Madhu is so creative,” said Julie. “He makes toys from trash and does elaborate paper folding projects. He seems to be a little entrepreneur.”
“We will nurture his and all the children’s natural giftings,” said Pastor Kandal.
“What a gift to these children,” said Julie. “I’m catching your vision of what this orphanage can accomplish over the years!”
“I have to confess to you,” said Pastor Kandal, “that my faith has not always been strong. There were many days and weeks when I could not see how the Lord could provide the rent. As I worked beside my church members, I worried that I was wasting their time and labor. I wanted to strongly believe, but my faith was weak. I just had to make up my mind to do what the Lord told us and hope for the best. Many nights I was awake worrying.” He shook his head and smiled self-consciously.
“I understand,” said Julie. “I had lots of pity parties lying under those bushes outside thinking there was no way this was going to work out and resenting the Lord for bringing me here.” Julie looked away from the pastor and focused on the door. “I came kicking and screaming, crying and whining—against my will. At first I couldn’t see anything good about the situation and even resented the orphans.
“All I cared about was my comfort and cleanliness and how soon I could get back home. But now I’m so grateful. A lot of my selfishness was ripped out by the roots, against my will, and then He filled my heart up with love for these precious children, especially this little one.” Julie kissed Shara.
“I’m embarrassed to think how much of my life I’ve spent totally concentrating on me and my happiness,” she took a sip and stared at the cup, “at least what I thought would make me happy. Now when I go home, I will leave a large part of my heart here.”
There was silence for a moment, then Pastor smiled at her.
“You will return with a large part of our hearts when you go.” He placed his hands to his chest and smiled. “I did not know the selfish Julie you speak of, but I like the Julie you are now.” Her face brightened.
“We need to go,” said Pastor, looking at his watch. “I will be back early in the morning to help with breakfast. There was much food left over. I don’t think they’ll mind eating the same thing twice.”
“I requested the day off tomorrow, and they actually gave it to me, so I will be back, too,” said Daya.
“And I also,” said his wife.
Champa headed outside and up the stairs to the second story.
“God bless you, Julie from America,” said the pastor. He smiled as he stepped into the darkness, then he stopped. “Julie, I think I have heard from the Lord about you. I will tell you, and you must ask the Lord if it is true.” With a serious expression, he whispered to her and then disappeared into the night.
Julie closed the door, took a deep breath, and sprawled on the couch, holding Shara and praying. “Oh, Lord. I need to hear from You. Please, please, please.”
After about 20 minutes, she peeked into the boys’ room. Everyone was asleep stretched out on a mat and snuggled with a stuffed animal.
“They are so beautiful.” She went upstairs to the girls’ rooms.
“Lord, they are so protected. What would have happened to them if I’d gone home?”
She laid Shara on her mat and entered the bathroom to prepare for bed.
“Pajamas, my own set of clean pajamas.” She held them up and smiled at the baby blue cotton gown. “They feel wonderful. I smell wonderful. This is all so wonderful! Thank You, Lord.” She combed her shoulder-length brown mane. “Oh, it feels squeaky clean!” After brushing her teeth, she padded into the bedroom and gently lifted Shara to her mat.
“Hi, sweetie. You’re all clean, and you have a new home and about a dozen big brothers and sisters to look after you.”
“Lord, if Shara tugs at my heartstrings any harder, they’ll be ripped right out of my chest.” Julie finally quit kissing Shara and stroked her forehead until the baby drifted off to sleep.
“Oh, Lord, this mat feels so good. I can’t believe I’m not on dirt. Thank You for supplying all our needs. The dinner tonight was awesome. And everyone was actually full!”
She opened the Bible to see the next verse. “I can’t wait to see what You have to say to me tonight, Lord.”
“‘I will fight for you.’4 That’s strange. It seems like the battles are over now, Lord, and it’s smooth sailing ahead, but thanks anyway.” She closed the Bible and fell asleep snuggled around Shara while thanking and praising Him.