One of our dear donor partners frequently sends us Beanie Babies to take to the children in our orphan homes. This trip to East Africa meant packing yet another batch of these lovable stuffed creatures. Beanie Babies are the perfect gift as 1.) They are now quite inexpensive, 2.) They can be bought in large batches on ebay, 3.) They are small enough to carry in a large quantity, and 4.) They allow each child to pick a character that closely matches their personality.
(A PILE OF BEANIES. David Ochoa helps to distribute the toys to the children)
Believe me, these things are highly cherished, often taking a prominent position on the children’s pillows. In many cases, they are the only toy that a child possesses and the only gift they have ever received.
(NURTURE. A young orphan girl covers and cradles her new Beanie Baby)
On my visit to one of our homes in Uganda last week, a medical team was there administering an HIV test to all of the children. The youngest had their fingers pricked. The older ones had to provide a full vial. Some were brave, others not so much so.
(STABBING REALITY. Many of these children will be diagnosed as HIV+)
The cry of these precious ones as they were getting stuck with needles was heartbreaking indeed. More upsetting, though, is the realization that quite a few of these children will soon hear some very bad news, life-shattering news.
(THE TEST. The ultimate pass/fail result)
With Beanie Babies in hand, tears turned into smiles.
(RECEIVING LINE. Children come forward and pick a toy that matches their personality or preference)
Regardless of future test results, they were now happy in the moment of hugging a little stuffed animal, a gift from people in America who love them and pray for them.
God’s timing is so good.
Here’s just a few more children after they recieved a smile from America…
What a blessing to these children. Many of them have so little and have endured so much. A Beanie Baby – a simply toy to encourage, to help the pain fade away. The pain of the loss of parents, the painful memory of the predator that came knocking before they were rescued, the painful memory of hunger – pains not meant for a child. Instead, they are swept away in the joy of a toy. A toy that is soft and snugly, one they can name, one they will cherish, one that is all their’s. A toy that leads to precious smiles from precious children.
How would we donate beanie babies or could we send a check to say that we wanted these to be bought and distributed?
Thanks,
Tina
So many beautiful smiles! How amazing to see something so small make such an impact, to bring such joy to these little ones who have seen such evil! May this be one more way Jesus can show these precious ones how much He loves and cares for them! Carey and Linda thank you for making this possible!
It is so beautiful to see the joy, hope and love in these children’s face. It is equally beautiful to think of that which generates such wonderful smiles, that which can be seen as so little can be so much and so big when it comes to the heart of a child. It is awesome to think how to these little ones this has become a beautiful moment forever to be remembered and cherished as the day they received a small gift with no strings attached but the wish to see those beautiful smiles on their faces again.
What a joy to see smiles on little faces because of the gift of a simple toy! It’s a blessing that one (or many) child(ren) can be made so happy with a little gift that has so much love behind it.
“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Zech 4:10
Carey and Linda:
The small gifts you donated for the children in Uganda is no small thing. The smallest of gestures and the simplest of actions play a big part in the greater plan of God’s redemptive work. As this passage from Zecheriah reminds us… ‘In God’s work the day of small things is not to be despised. Though the instruments be weak and unlikely, God often chooses such, by them to bring about great things.’
God brought about great things on the day those toys were received. The ripples of that day are resonating even through this day. God is bringing about great things through your lives and willingness to give towards his Kingdom work. The small toys provided much comfort to those children as they endured the pain of being tested for HIV/AIDS. Know that these same small children will become tomorrows giants for God’s global mission…expanding His Kingdom one little heart at a time.
Thank you for all that you do and for who you are- servants of the living God.
Michael Vinson
Exec. V.P., World Orphans
Wow! That is amazing to see. It is incredible that a small toy, only bought one day, and forgotten another by kids in America can make such a huge impact to these children. Those images are so moving. The smiles are such a testimony to how simple it is to make a huge impact, and are truly an encouragement. I will not soon forget the look on the faces of these little ones.
The children’s smiles in the photos tell a 1000 words. What we take for granted here in a land of plenty is so precious in a land of little. Praise God for the children and for those who care about them.
How incredibly precious and heartwarming to see the joy on the faces of these children who don’t know much of “joy” in their lives, if any. How simple, sweet, and the pure-love of Jesus!
Little things like this and the impact they make are so often overlooked and taken for granted here in America.
How very precious is the smile of a child….. just beautiful…
it’s my longing that the Lord will add more thousands to the passion of world orphans.while we work in the field 24 hours 7 days a week, we lack the time to sometimes look back, reflect and internalize the impact our our work. seeing the smiles on my kids on the world orphans’ president’s blog deeply touched my heart.i hadn’t realized the striking beauty on my kids’ faces until i saw the photos on this blog. please paul, continue making our voices heard in all those places we can’t always go for ourselves.
pastor david
ceo father’s divine love ministries uganda