This is a
story about a boy named Manuel. Manuel was adopted from San Vicente de Paul,
the same orphanage where OSSO volunteers lived and worked in Quito. He now
lives in Idaho with his family of 5.
The
Christmas of 2014 was a terribly difficult Christmas for the OSSO program. The
program was considering closing either Cuenca or Quito, because we simply
didn’t have volunteers. The OSSO orphanage for Special Needs children was also
in danger of closing its doors. In January 2016, OSSO had to remove its
volunteers from Quito, but with hopes of reopening it.
Now back to
Manuel. He didn’t know the struggles with the OSSO program but he felt
impressed to write a letter to Santa that year. This is coming from his mother…
Dear family and friends,
Last night I had my boys write their letter to Santa because I needed some ideas for gifts. Manuel sat down across the table from us, focused and intent on his own letter.
I looked at him at one point as his letter neared the end of the page and
thought “Great…he’s going to be sorely disappointed Christmas morning if his
list is that long.” It was late, so I hurried Jonny along as he drew his
picture for Santa, and Manuel as he went back to his room looking for a picture
of him and his siblings to include with his letter, along with one of his
homemade key chains for Santa (maybe Santa’s sleigh requires keys?). They
sealed their letters, addressed them, and then I used my “I’m out of stamps, so
I’ll mail these tomorrow” excuse to sneak them into my room to read after they
left for school today. Well, this morning I sat down, ready to read his letter
and somehow narrow it down into a list that fit our small budget. A few minutes
later, I refolded his letter, sobbing and feeling completely helpless. Manuel had
not asked for one toy, not one game…not one physical “thing.” I’d like to share
his whole letter with you, but I feel like it would be too much an invasion of
his privacy, as it was very personal…almost reminiscent of a plea to our
Heavenly Father. That’s really what it was. A prayer.
Here’s what I will share with
you…Manuel wished for a few things for Christmas: He wished to not be sick and
to be healthy and strong again. He wished to not have to get hearing aids. He
asked Santa to bless his family here and in Ecuador. He asked that if Santa got
to be in his birth parents’ house, that he would give Manuel a good feeling. And
lastly, (and here’s where I need your help), he asked Santa to “…Please bless
people out on the street and in the orphanage. Because I was one of them and I wanted
a family as bad as they do right now.” As a mother, his whole letter shook me. I
had no idea that these things were so prominent in Manuel’s mind. And all I
felt was helpless, because what could I do to make any of these things come
true?
As you know,
we are all sitting here because of the OSSO program. Volunteers signed up, and
we had just enough to keep the program going. Donations came in, and step by
step, the program was able to make it another week, and then another month. The
special needs orphanage was able to stay open and continue to care for the children. The
miracle didn’t come in a million dollar check. The miracle didn’t come with 50
volunteer applications over night. The miracle came 1 by 1, and the miracle
continues with volunteers like yourself.
OSSO began
something new to include a required donation as part of volunteer program fees.
Along with Manuel, we want to thank you. Many OSSO volunteers work hard to pay
their program fees. Many volunteers have their program fees generously
paid by their family, friends, or through fundraising. We want you to
understand a little better how your donations have blessed the children you
serve daily.
On behalf of
…(names and where $500 donation went towards: tias salaries, milk for HML, transportation, cleaning supplies, diapers, wipes, medicine, doctor visits, and medical surgeries)
From the
children you serve and love, we thank you! We encourage you to think of at
least one person who helped you get here to Ecuador. Whether they donated for
your program fees, or supported you in other ways. We encourage you to make a
phone call, or send an e-mail to explain how their support for you has blessed
the children in Ecuador.
You being
here matters and we thank you!
Manuel with volunteer Amber at SVP orphanage in Quito
Manuel with his doctor from Boston, who performed his life saving tracheotomy surgery at the Baca Ortiz hospital in Quito
Manuel with his little brother Jonny and sister Emree
It is always a pleasure to share Manuel's story and his sweet prayer. Tears always fill my eyes, no matter how many times I read his story. When serving in orphanages, a lot of times I catch myself pondering on, "what difference am I truly making?" Truth is, I'm not making a difference that will change their lives forever. However, a small donation of $500 puts food in their belly's, pays for a worker to care for the children all day and all night, pays for transportation to have children go to school, keeps a clean orphanage, provides only about 2 weeks worth of diapers, provides medicine, pays for doctors visits, and helps cover the medical expenses for children's surgeries. When you put the basic needs of a child first, $500 is nothing. It's not. How grateful I am this Thanksgiving to see the works of volunteers donation money be put to use, be surrounded by amazing human beings who truly have the hearts to serve, and to be in the presence of God's beautiful children. May God always and forever bless the children living in the streets and in orphanages. Like Manuel, that too is my prayer.
