The Nightmare.

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.

Proverbs 31:8-9

I had the worst dream of my life last night and I rushed to get up and write it down so I never forget.

I dreamt Lilly wanted to live with someone else and because she and I were not getting along, I agreed.  As a matter of fact, I think it was my idea and she actually reluctantly agreed.

This post may be sporatic as my memories come flooding in.  You know how dreams are.

So....a nice, beautiful Middle Eastern woman who had always wanted a child came to get her.  And I watched her leave.  Goodbye.

The next thing I remember was for some reason we were in our car parked in a horrible place somewhere in India.  As far as the eye could see, there was extreme poverty.  There were robe covered, overly thin women walking around the car, peering in with sunken, hollow faces.  They looked into my eyes, then whispered to each other.  They appeared lost.  Hopeless.  Completely surrendered.  And they walked away.

There was nothing but mud and 'falling apart' metal and wood/cardboard huts all around.  No paved roads.  Mud.  Everywhere.   And trash.  More filth than I had ever seen.

Then the music came.  Erotic, exotic, high pitched, eery, haunting music that beckoned me to turn and pay attention.  I did.  I turned and finally realized we were parked right in front of a building I immediately recognized as a brothel.  It was the tallest building in town.  The only one built from cinder blocks.  The only one not falling apart.  But it was disgusting, just the same.

It was lined from top to bottom with pictures of American and Indian women.  VERY young.  The entire building was wrapped with millions of tiny flashing lights.  And barbed wire.  It was also a fortress.

That's when it hit me.

That women had not always wanted a child of her own.  She was a sex trafficker.  And she took my Lilly.  My child was a slave.  Inside a building like this one.  Somewhere.  In some country.  I couldn't breathe.  My heart pounded like it would explode.  My whole chest burned and ached.

I whispered to Kevin, in a barely audible voice, what I thought I knew.  'We have to find her', I said, over and over again.  He gets out of the car and goes inside.  And I tell Molly what happens to children inside the building.

Then I awake...... almost.  I'm in the half and half stage.  I am distraught.  My heart is pounding wildly.  I'm sweating.  All I can think about is my lost child.  And how could I have let her go?  How can I live without her.....knowing her fate?

But as fate would have it,  Lilly is in the bed next to me.  Kevin must have gotten up early.  Lilly must have been afraid last night and crawled into bed with me.  And I grab her and hold her and kiss her a million times.  Now I am fully awake.

And then I jump up to make coffee and write this down so I never forget.

Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows.

Isaiah 1:17

There is an orphanage we support in India.  It only has 29 children in it.  It's called the 'Grace Life Childrens Home' and Kevin will most likely be going there in September.  We help support 3 children, one of whom is a sweet girl named Mina.  She was left at the hospital.  She has never known any family except for the kids at the orphanage.  We've been able to skype her and write letters and send gifts.  She sends us sweet little drawings she does.  There are always tons of eraser marks on it so you can tell she tries to make it look perfect.  I don't know her.  But I love her.  And she's the same age as Lilly.  8 years old.

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy. God places the lonely in families.

Psalms 68:5-6

Things could have turned out differently for Mina.  But she's in a home where the adults and kids love her and take care of her.  I shudder to think what her fate might have been without this amazing home.  And I'm not sure how many more sponsorships they need......10 I think.....to make sure all the kids are taken care of.  They share everything.  Food, clothes, toys, beds.....everything.  They live in a house less than 2000 square feet but know no different.  They all seem happy to be together and the whole orphanage sang happy birthday to Lilly during our skype.  It was wonderful.

These 2 are brother and sister.  Their mother asked the orphanage to take them.
 She could not provide for them any longer.

    

Sponsorships are not cheap.  To ensure that all kids get at least 2 hearty meals a day, clothing they need and schooling, it is $150.00 per child.  We have several friends who have co-sponsored children.....sometimes up to 6 families so everyone only has to commit $25.00 a month.  Pretty cool.

So.....I'm not sure my intention of this blogpost.....it certainly isn't my usual.  But I had to write it.  That dream screamed out to be told.  It was not content to rest inside my head.  And I wasn't content to pretend it didn't happen.

If you'd like to learn more about Grace Children's home, here is the link.....http://www.gchindia.org/.  It's well worth a look!

Another great organization to get familiar with is The International Justice Mission.  I would highly recommend checking them out.  You won't believe what goes on in this world.  And you won't believe what IJM does about it.  http://www.ijm.org/

The world is a scary place.  Sometimes it seems like the good guys will never win.  But the good guys are moving in.  And they have a very big ally.  The biggest.

I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me.

Matthew 25:40