“My coldest day in the shelter became warm when I saw you. You have become my second family. And most importantly, I learned that I am Jesus’ most beloved disciple, just as in the Bible.” For Diana, an SGA Storyteller, these words melted her heart. The words were spoken by a young boy who had been brought to the orphanage after his stepfather had beaten him and his mother, therefore, his mother was deprived of her parental rights.

The impact of the many SGA-supported Orphans Reborn teams is huge. Over and over again, we hear of how relationships are being built and orphan children are finding new “families” who love and care for them. Although they may still be waiting for their parents to come and pick them up, they are not abandoned and forgotten. People like Diana continually visit the orphanages and become the Father’s love to these children.

Please continue to pray for Ioan (John), as he finds comfort in knowing that he has a family who loves him and who wants to teach him more about the warmth of the Father’s love in Jesus. Read his story as shared by Diana . . .

Last year we met Ioan (John) in an orphanage. He ended up in an orphanage because his mother was deprived of parental rights. John, his mother, two younger sisters, and stepfather lived in one of the villages not far from our village. He was eight years old when his stepfather came to their house. This man didn’t like the boy right away. It seemed to him that he was doing everything wrong. And he began to educate him, but his upbringing was more like a beating. For each offense John received his own measure of punishment. Although he did all the household chores and took on hard work that only an adult man could do, his stepfather always found a reason to beat him.

Over the years, two daughters were born into their family. They loved them very much. Mother and father drank alcohol from time to time. There was never peace in the family. John was given even more work. Even though he was so small, they demanded of him like a man. Mom never stood up for her son. She tried to please her husband and their own daughters. The neighbors, hearing the boy’s constant screams and crying, could not stand it and informed the guardian about it. When the services arrived, they themselves saw the child’s condition. His entire head was covered with bruises and scars. There are yellow and blue spots on the body. Old wounds were replaced by new ones. In the eyes of the child there is pain and disappointment in the adults who should have taken care of him and not abused him. The boy never returned home.

He was sent to an orphanage, and his mother was deprived of parental rights. When we met him, he didn’t understand what was happening. They didn’t tell him anything. Every day he waits for his mother to come for them. John was very withdrawn and never left the room.

When we arrived at the orphanage, as usual, all the children ran to meet us. The children shouted, “Our family has arrived! Let’s go meet them” (that’s what the children call us). John was interested to know who it was, and he also came out to meet us. John later told us: “I remember the day when I arrived at the shelter. I was overcome by the horror of being separated from my mother. I was so cold both inside and outside. All the guys talked about some family that comes to them and they always look forward to meeting them.”

We also always look forward to meeting them with trepidation. Returning to the events of our first meeting with John, I immediately saw someone new among all the children. He stood and timidly looked at the floor. It looked very lonely and cramped. As usual, we hug all the children when we arrive at the orphanage. And I also approached John, extended my hand to him and asked his name.

He said quietly, “John.” I was surprised and said, “Great, you have a biblical name.” I sat down and asked, “Can I hug you?” To which he did not say a word, but simply rushed into my arms. We stood there for several seconds. And I didn’t let him go until he himself wanted to let go of the hug. There was a lump of tears in my throat. I tried not to show it. Then I sat next to him and tried to listen. He talked and talked and talked. The teachers said he had never spoken to anyone before. They were shocked by his openness to us. This is how our friendship began. Every time we came, we talked a lot. And we talked a lot about God.

He started coming to our programs. We see John’s faith begin to grow. Now he prays to God, and we reflect on biblical stories together. He still waits every day for his mother to come for him. Every time we bring treats, he always puts them in a bag and says, “if not today, then maybe tomorrow mom will come for me and I will give her your treats.” We pray for his future and appreciate his friendship. We pray that he will not be disappointed.

John said, “My coldest day in the shelter became warm when I saw you. You have become my second family. And most importantly, I learned that I am Jesus’ most beloved disciple, just as in the Bible.”

His words bring hope to our hearts. His thirst for God motivates us to serve the orphans. We tell ourselves over and over again to just be faithful by going to the orphanages and talking about hope, about salvation, and about Divine love. Everything else is God’s work.