Dear Friend:
I never knew missionary work means having to be a partner in the tears of a child.
This is an update to a story you might have read, in my wife Michelle's email, about a boy named Depak.
Here is my version. Depak is in 7th grade and when he got here was the biggest headache. He just was hyper and just plain bad. But within a month and a half, he had started to change. He was more responsible with his behavior and trying hard not to get in trouble. He went from being in trouble every hour to maybe in trouble once every 3 or 4 days. That was a miracle.
This is is history. His father was lost in the Tsunami. His mother became very ill after the Tsunami and we found them languishing in a Tsunami shelter. The mother was incapable of caring for him. So I brought him to Miracle Garden.
A month ago his mother shows up here and sees him. She then spoke to me briefly and told me she was leaving me in my care and that I should raise as my own. I told her he had improved much and was doing well in school also. She told me about his Tuberculosis condition and I assured her I had taken him to the doctor and hadhim on the path to full recovery.
A week later she poured kerosine on herself and burnt herself to death.
I was shocked. I could not sleep that night. I did not inform the kid. She was in critical condition. I wanted to wait and see. I also told the relatives I would send him down there for a few days only if she died. For the funeral.
4 days later she was dead.
An aunt of Deepaks came to take him to the funeral. It was sunday morning. 10am. More than 100 kids come to Miracle Garden from the surrounding villages for childrens church and sports every sunday. The service was about to begun. I pulled Deepak out told him to wear a pair of his nicer clothes and come to the back gate.
I took him to near the cow shed and spoke with him. I didnt know what to say. I did what i percieved to be the right thing. I believe God gave me special grace for that moment. I told him his mother was gravely ill.
I told him his aunt had come to take him to see his mom. I told him whatever happens he must know I love him and I will care for him. He started to tear up. I prayed a short prayer and sent him on. It really tore me up.
He came back one week later this past sunday. I kept him isolated for a little bit. I took just the boys to the back dining lounge and opened the subject about deepak. I told them about his moms demise. There was big gasp. The pain must have hit home. I told them we have to be bold for Deepak. We must make him feel that we love him and we can care for him. They all perked up. They wanted to be strong for him. I had put away a nice car toy and I brought it out. I had daniel, a staff, to go get Deepak from his room. As deepak walked up to the lounge the boys were all on their feet clapping their hands, it was so moving. Deepak was in tears, I hugged him and on behalf of all the kids I welcomed him back and gave him the love gift from all of us. Then I named 2 of his buddies to take him to the dorms settle him down.
Within 30 minutes Deepak had changed his clothes come to the chapel attended the children's church. He insisted he must also join in the cricket game. The british baseball. He scored 46 runs and was the best player. I cannot tell you the joy we all felt. It made me realize this ministry is worth doing.
Continue to pray for Deepak. As he deals with so much pain in his life. We all share in his tears.
John