Our team spent today at Amor del Nino, a Christian orphanage near Guatemala City. This is my fourth trip there, and each time I go I am struck by the contrasts between this loving ministry and Hermano Pedro.
The first thing you notice as you enter their home is how open, bright and cheery it all is. The kids have room to play and wonderful playground equipment. The entire place screams “We love children!”
But that is not the most impressive part. What stands out more than any of that is the care provided by the nannies. When a child is wet or messy they are quickly changed. When an infant cries, the caregivers drop their tasks to give attention. And the care provided is done with joy and playfulness.
These differences produce remarkable results in the children. They are open, friendly, and joyful. Our team was overwhelmed with hugs, kisses, and playful giggles. I laid on the ground laughing as toddlers piled on top of me shrieking for joy. And children who entered their walls with deep wounds have shown great progress and healing.
And as I sat loving these wonderful little ones, I was struck with the awareness that Hermano Pedro could be like Amor del Nino. It, too, could become a place of hope and healing. It, too, could be filled with laughter. And it would only require a change of mindset.
At the heart of the problem at HP is the failure to recognize the treasure of each child. Instead of being viewed as priceless human beings created in the image of God, they are viewed as damaged goods. As a result, they are often allowed to sit in their own feces and urine and to lie in their cages 20 hours a day with little human interaction. They are treated as objects that need to be fed and cleaned instead of divine sparks to be cultivated and loved.
If only the administrator of Hermano Pedro could see each of those children through the eyes of Jesus, everything would change. And, over time, HP and Amor del Nino would become very much alike.
Lord, please move hearts and change attitudes to make that a reality.
