NLCH Family

I am continually amazed by Kendon and Wendy. Their hearts were grieving as parents who lost a son and yet they continued to be strong, making many decisions, greeting the overwhelming number of visitors, and comforting the other children that were hurting -- looking especially after Juan. Their presence was a comfort to me as I know it was to all of the children and staff here. Your prayers were uplifting them and carrying them through, so thank you again for praying.

After the burial, Kendon called all the children from the Home together and spoke with them for a few minutes. The prayers of so many of you were especially obvious to me during this time. I could hear God speaking through Kendon as he gathered the children together as a family, told them how much he loved each of them and how they were all in this grieving process together. He told them how it is the custom to bury a body but that the body was only a body, Chepe was not there in that grave but is with our Lord Jesus. He spoke to them about how there are two things guaranteed to all of us: that we have been given life and that one day we will die. We do not know when; only God knows that hour. Death is a natural part of the life cycle. He talked to the children about how Chepe was a blessing to the Home for each day that we were able to spend with him. He also then talked to them about while we are glad that Chepe is with Jesus, God gave us emotions and it is okay and normal to be sad, to cry, and to miss our dear friend. He mentioned how people mourn differently so it is perfectly fine to cry at any age and regardless of gender and that it is equally okay not to cry -- that doesn't mean that you don't miss Chepe as much as those who are crying. He told the children that we would all come back to the cemetery when the grave stone was put in and we would continue celebrating Chepe's life and memory. It was such a precious time for me to watch as Kendon and Wendy parented that group of 48 children and they all drew together as a family. I was reminded of how thankful I am to be here and be just a small part of the NLCH family. Thank you for being a part of that family as well.