As soon as I climbed into the van after leaving Zacapa Hogar Temporal in Guatemala, tears began rolling down my face.

My heart was broken by the honesty had just encountered with a gorgeous 6-year-old girl.

Her name was Jennifer, and I had been talking to her while she was playing on the swing set, just after receiving her new pink shoes from Shoes for Orphan Souls. She was absolutely ecstatic when she saw that the shoes were pink and had been proudly displaying this new gift.

I asked her where she was from, and she told me a little town near Zacapa, and then I asked the question that will forever be imprinted on my heart. I asked her why she was in the orphanage and her response, “Porque mi madre no me quiere” which means, because my mother doesn’t want me.

It was like a knife to my heart. The way she stated the situation, so matter-of-factly, tore me to pieces. How could any child, let alone a 6-year old, deal with the realization that her mother doesn’t want her and gave her over to a government institution? Throughout my travels with Buckner, I have encountered immense sadness, devastation, and hurt, mostly involving teenagers in a similar situation. I was not, however, ready for this sweet, little girl to tell me the same scenario that I normally hear from a 15-year old.

That afternoon confirmed my calling to serve the children of God. My career is to serve orphans and vulnerable children around the world, starting by meeting their physical needs and then, sharing with them the glorious love of our Heavenly Father. I was able to share with little Jennifer, that her Creator will never leave nor forsake her and that He loves her, no matter what.

Through the work of Buckner, those in need across the globe are able to hear the good news of our Lord and Savior. There is no greater gift!

“…his name is the Lord – rejoice before him. A father to the fatherless, a defender of the widows, is God in his holy dwelling” (Psalm 68:4-5).

Brynn Anderson, from Dallas, Texas, serves as coordinator for Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls.

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Prayer for the Week:
- God, please use us to serve and encourage the vulnerable
- God, please help us not be afraid to share the Gospel with those who may not know you.

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