When the Unexpected Happens...Dear Friends,
Sometimes when you least expect it, a divine assignment crosses your path.
I was in Kenya implementing a music education program and something unexpected and amazing happened.
Mary's Story
Her mom died of HIV/AIDS, her granny was killed in the faction fighting earlier this year in Kenya, she was taken away from her great granny due to neglect.
As devastating and as heartbreaking as that is, I was not ready for the rest of her story, nor will you be.
Mary was raped by a man and infected with the AIDS virus and she was not even 2 years old...
It is physically hard for me to even write this and I don't know what more I can say other than "Will you stand with me to help Mary?"
She is the sweetest little child and somehow just connected with me. Every time we visited Children's home A where she lives with 25 other abandoned AIDS children, she made a bee-line for me with outstretched arms.
Her favorite is to play on the swings, she just points to them and makes soft sounds but she does not speak yet.
Mary is on ARV's and had a little cold when I was there. She is so cute, I'd put a tissue on her nose and say blow and she'd blow her nose as many times as I asked.Sometimes Mary goes into a zone of sorts and stares into a direction and begins to cry or seems agitated and then as quickly as that started it ends.
She is in a really good place. The home that she is in is new and spacious and there are loving arms everywhere. I could not get over the great yummy food that is cooked there everyday. It made my tummy grumble!
One of our favorite games to play was etch-a-sketch. Mary would draw enthusiastically and then she would erase her drawing and I would make a gasping sound and pull a funny face and she'd crack up laughing.
Yes we laughed a lot and that in itself was how our bond grew and was medicine to both of us.
It was so hard leaving Mary that Friday June 20th, she cried when I tried to put her down, but soon enough she was lifted by loving arms and disappeared into her home.
Sunday, 2 days later I was sitting at La Madeleine's back home here in the US having breakfast and I just began to weep thinking about little Mary. How could someone so small halt me me in my tracks like a freight train?
It is actually profoundly easy.
Please stand with me to support Mary's life and future.
Cause For Support
We were at a giraffe petting place when I learned of Mary's story.My ministry, Open Doors Music will be a voice for Mary and will be telling her story to everyone.
There are many ways you can help. Forward this newsletter to your friends and family and help tell her story please!
Like I said Mary is in a great place, however it costs to run the homes and the program in Kenya
You are welcome to send your support directly to CMIA or you can channel it through ODM since Mary is a focus for my ministry.
Please consider monthly support for Mary. Tax receipt letter are always sent.Please Donate Here.
Gavin and Mary
P.S. - Please be creative in how you want to show support for Mary and feel free to respond to this post with your stunning ideas by leaving your comments!
Sincerely,
Gavin Audagnotti
Open Doors Music
Posts
2 comments:
I recall our last day in Nairobi. I was the 3rd or 4th person out of our van. As I stepped out of the van Mary ran to me with her arms high and then gave my legs a great big hug! I was crushed with love and joy.
For those who know my story you would know that my wife and I have been waiting for children for quite some time. After two losses my heart is softer and more broken than ever when it comes to children!
What was odd about this hug Mary gave me, was the fact that I had not held her or hugged her at all. She was usually attached to Gavin and therefore I only took some pictures of them together. So to me it seemed like a gift from God to receive a hug from this tiny little girl. My heart will never be the same.
Watching Mary through our time at GCC broke my heart for orphans as no other experience has. I have held orphans all over the world, but none have encompassed all that this little girl has gone through. Her life has been so full of terror, more so than most adults in the US will experience in their whole lives. However, she is so full of love and expectancy of good things.
It was such a blessing to see her interact with Gavin during our week there. She was open to his abandoned love, even though she had been hurt before.
Thinking of her brings tears to my eyes and love to my heart. I pray all of heaven's blessings on that little girl and the GCC Home that is taking care of her now.
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