13 For you created my inmost being;
you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
your works are wonderful,
I know that full well.
15 My frame was not hidden from you
when I was made in the secret place,
when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
16 Your eyes saw my unformed body;
all the days ordained for me were written in your book
before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:13-16
But it wasn’t until this past week, that I got to see a story unfold of an amazing little boy named Sebastian, who I have known for the past 2 years and have a very special place in my heart for. He has not only made an impact to those around him who care for him here in Peru, but also now has impacted people all over the world, just by being himself……
Sebastian is an 11 year old boy. He also happens to have severe spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy which affects his ability to move purposely in every way. He doesn’t talk because the muscles in his vocal cords don’t work, and he can’t walk or eat food by mouth because the muscles for these actions also do not function correctly. He is also an orphan. Abandoned at birth. No record of his parents. He doesn’t even have a last name which means even if someone wanted to adopt him legally, he would not be able to be due to Peruvian laws….
But you know what? God knows Sebastian!!!!!! He made him!!!! Sebastian has the MOST AMAZING laugh and smile ever. He brings me and others SO MUCH JOY….He understands when you talk to him, and he loves to be silly and play pranks. He is curious and incredibly interactive with others around him with his eyes and his smile. He LOVES selfies.
He is one of 25 kids who live in an orphanage called Padre Martinhos in Lima Peru. I get to go there weekly and spend time with the kids and do therapy with a few. When I enter the orphanage, he is most often found in his bed where there is really nothing to do OR sitting in front of a TV in his wheelchair. These are the places he spends most of his time in, not because he chooses it, but because there are just few caregivers to be able to give one on one care to each kid.
I THOUGHT, that maybe Sebastian’s purpose for living might be his bringing joy to others. The orphanage receives many visitors that come in and help out for short visits. Some spend just a few hours and a few come back with some form of regularity. It may partially that he brings joy to others, but recently God let me see a little bit more from His point of view. You see, last September, one of the guest pastors for the women’s conference held at Camino de Vida in Lima, Julia A’Bell and her daughter (who were visiting from Hillsong Church Australia) asked to visit an orphanage while they were in Lima. They lucked out and were able to spend some time at the very same orphanage where Sebastian lives and they got to know him and IMMEDIATELY fell in love with his contagious smile and giggles.
Because of that Pastor from Hillsong church Australia had such a huge heart for Sebasitan and his incredible joy for life, she remembered him, and suggested that they raise support to donate these same shoes to kids in Lima with special needs who are working to improve their independence and quality of life!
So, now, not only has Sebastian impacted my life and the life of this pastor in Australia, but also every single child and their familiy who will be the recipients of these incredible sneakers!!!!!
And the ONLY thing that Sebastian did was the only thing he could….He smiled, and laughed and LOVED. We really don’t ever know the impact we have on another person’s life unless they personally share that information. We also often feel like we need to DO something in order to be used by God. But really we just need to BE. Like Sebastian, we need to be loving and joyful.
Another verse came to mind when I heard about all this that is happening….
Ephesians 1:4-6 New International Version (NIV)
4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he[a] predestined us for adoption to sonship[b] through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves.
Sebastian may have been abandoned at birth, but our Heavenly Father has adopted him and knows him by name....
It is incredibly honoring that I get to be a part of all this, and then sharing all the amazing things God is doing here and around the world with all of you. Thank you for making it possible for me to be a part of the story that God has planned for others here in Lima.
As you all know, I could not be here without your financial and prayer support. So THANK YOU!!!!
As you may also know, I am raising money to buy a car so I can get around to all the parts of Lima with greater ease and have more time to be effective in ministry work instead of spending hours in buses and taxis! I still have $3075.00 to go before I can go out and purchase that car. Would you please consider making a donation directly related to that car? If you are interested, please click on the button below which takes you directly to my agency web page. Remember that all donations are tax dedutable! Please send me a message letting me know that it is for the car. Thanks so much!!!!!