Simple Moments of Radiant Joy

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The giggles were almost uncontrollable as we swayed back and forth in the makeshift hammock, holding on for dear life and hoping not to tumble out on the peak of each sway. With a bright-eyed little girl on each side of me, I was caught in the middle of unveiled delight as each sway was greeted with bubbling laughter and beaming smiles. The moment was simple, three girls just swinging in a hammock, and yet the moment was brilliant as our hearts bubbled over with the simple delight of sharing giggles, smiles, and thrill. My heart soared into the endless evening sky as I sat captivated by the vibrant beauty present in each of the girls.

In the beginning of my time in my home, I had noticed these two little girls, but not for their giggles and smiles, but for their quietness and somberness. They seemed to hang quietly behind the rest of the girls and drop into the background whenever attention was directed their way. No matter their seemingly solemn dispositions, I was captivated by these two precious little girls, and it came with a desire to know a little of their stories.

Their similar dark eyes, pressed lips, and rounded noses had me suspecting that they were sisters, and by observing their quiet timidity among the rest of the girls I also suspected they were new to our home. These suspicions were confirmed as I asked our local director, Elsie, about the girls one Sunday morning. She filled me in on a few details of these precious girls’ lives.

Olivia* and Nikki* have been in the Remember Nhu (RN) system for a few years, as RN helped support the girls while they stayed with their disabled father. RN provided the funds necessary to keep the girls in school and provide for basic needs as their father cared for their physical needs. Recently, their father was no longer able to care for them and with the understanding that the girls did not have another caregiver or an advocate, it was decided that the girls would join our home. 

With this knowledge, I had a whole new understanding of these girls and their seemingly quiet and tentative natures. They were in a completely new and sometimes overwhelming environment trying to just figure it all out. Time and whole lot of love is what they needed to feel welcome in their new home and to make the transition.

And the transition did begin. The girls’ vibrant and spunky personalities began to emerge. Gradually, a smile or a nod of acknowledgement became more and more common. Then the girls offered a few giggles, words in Thai, or a quick hug. And finally our moment in the hammock, no hint of the somber and timid girls I first knew, but completely embracing their energy and abandon for life.

What a beautiful journey it has been as I've been able to see Olivia and Nikki blossom in this environment and to be able to experience their precious love and energy. There is often heartache and loss that lead a child into this home, and in no way can we wipe the pain away. The girls come as they are, brokenness, beauty, and all, and we are here to love them as they are and help nurture them into the fullness of who Jesus says they are. It’s often a challenging journey, but the brilliant yet simple moments of radiant joy in the hammock make it all worth it.
Written By: Kelli H., Remember Nhu Intern
To support Kelli's work in the field go to:
Note Kelli H. - Thailand in the notes section.


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