Middle School Outreach

 *Pictures taken by CCA Middle School student :)

Four Blocks Away

Just 4 blocks away

Tucked into the Los Rios neighborhood

A walkable distance

At the top of a steep hill

Hogar Divino Niño

An orphanage

Full of rambunctious kids

All under the age of five

 

The Giving Tree

CCA students

Took turns visiting

Bringing books to read with their little buddies

Performing skits about Bible stories

About God being our Father and Provider

And Jesus being our Peace and Answer

Jeanine

Was greeted first

By a tiny girl in pigtails

Who wrapped her arms around Jeanine’s legs

Looked up with wide eyes

And said, “You’re mine!”

The 8^th graders performed their read aloud skits

Sweat ran down their faces

But they did not complain

The laughter from the children was enough

 

A group of 7^th grade girls

Sang songs to the 2 & 3 year olds

Played with their hair

And gave them hug after hug

The orphans kept calling us

“Mami” and “Papi”

Desperate for affection

For strong arms to pick them up and hold them close

Kneeling down next to them

It was difficult to hold back tears

As we said, as we were told

“Llámenos tías y tíos”

“Call us aunt and uncle instead”

 

Juanes read

To a boy named Miguel

As an older brother and friend

While Johnny quietly interacted

With Efrain, who sat in a high chair with a glazed look

The only 6 year old in the home

Goodbyes were bittersweet

For we knew we were not far

Only four blocks away

Eventually we had to walk away

Back to school

The weight of an orphan’s cry now real to us

 

Some students grieved

Others were impassioned

Burdened by the injustice

The question of “Why?”

These orphans are precious, lovely children of God

And we will not forget.

Since I arrived in Panama, it has been on my heart to start a Community Outreach Program with the middle school students at CCA. This year, it’s finally become a reality! We’ve been introducing this concept of being a “light in your own backyard” by visiting a local orphanage once a month and helping start a literacy program there.

Both 7^th and 8^th grade groups that have gone so far have done a fantastic job! The way they loved through their encouraging words, actions, and attitude astounds me as only the love of Christ can. It is highly impressive to watch them use their bilingual abilities and unique talent for drama for God’s glory and showing love to His precious ones.

Pray that the CCA Middle Schoolers would not lose sight of this deep love of Christ and that, as they mature and grow, it would compel them to serve others.