Fatherless

She’s only 6. I’m sure we’ve told you about her before. She has caused problems with the other children when they come to our house on Thursday nights, and often ends up crying or putting up a big fuss. She pouts if she doesn’t get her way. What is her deal? Well, she’s hurting. She’s fatherless. No, she’s not an orphan. She’s fatherless. She doesn’t have a Papa in her life, actively caring for her heart and her needs. She craves love and attention from her Papa, but ever since he left her home, and was replaced by another man, those needs aren’t getting met. Her name is Joop Jang.

God said in the Bible that He would be a Father to the Fatherless. That is a promise which He is purposing to fulfill, and we are delighted in hope that we might get to be a part of it.

The other day Thailand had an event called “Children’s Day”. Every year the whole country sets aside a day to bless their children. Near our village they brought in some big toys such a ferris wheel, carousel, train...etc. They let the children ride for free all day. We enjoyed being there, but what stood out to me the most, was how Joop Jang looked to me the same way the other children were looking to their parents. Her parents weren’t there. First, she brought me her water bottles to hold while she got on the carousel. At noon I asked her if she was hungry. She said, “yes”. So, I bought her a sausage. Then later in the day, she came up to me and said. “I’m thirsty”. So I bought her a drink. Then before each ride she would hand me her drink, and the rag that she was using to wipe the sweat from her face, so that I could hold them for her. As she was going around on the carousel, or the ferris wheel she would look at me and smile and wave real big. I smiled and waved back. At 2 PM, I decided it was time to take my daughter and head home. I asked Joop Jang if she had a ride home and she said yes. Then, when she realized that we were leaving she started to pout, and look all around. “Who am I going to be with in this crowd of people?” she thought. Remember, she’s only 6 years old. Then she saw another friend from our village and ran to be with her.

It didn’t sink in until later. I almost wept as I thought about what it was like when I was 5 years old and got lost at church. I was scared, and I was in the safest place possible. What must it be like for her? What must it be like to be 6 years old in a crowd of people without a Papa on “Children’s Day?” I don’t really know the answer to that question, but one thing I do know. I know what it’s like to be loved and cared for by my Heavenly Papa, and I hope by the Grace of God to show the same to her. Please pray for her and her family. Martin.