Celebration of Our Stars, Rancho Sordo Mudo and Hearing Everett

This weekend I volunteered at the "Celebration of our stars" talent show at my school. It was kids from our community who are part of the children's therapy unit (with disabilities). I did one-on-one with a boy with autism, N. He was ten, and actually is one of the students of a friend of mine. I watched a movie with him, played chase, and had a good time. It was a good experience for me, and if you ever have any opportunity to do something like this, do it. By the end of the show, you don't see special- needs kids, you see kids, who some might happen do be in a wheelchair or walker. Put the kid before the disability. There was one boy there, who I'll call Jacob. He and N were playing tag for at least an hour on the wrestling mat. It didn't matter to either of them that Jacob couldn't walk, and crawled/ hopped like a frog to get around. They were busy having fun like normal boys. Now think of Carter. He might not walk right, but imagine him playing with N and Jacob. Playing chase, watching movies, performing in a talent show. Can you see him? I can. We're called to be the body of Christ. I'm convicted, I'm as guilty as everyone: we aren't doing what we should. God is calling us to save the orphans. You're here on this blog reading this right now for a reason.
There are 147 million orphans in the world. There are 100 at 39. 15 were listed on RR. Renee was able to meet almost all of them . 8 have found their forever families. Of the she met, only 3 are left. My boy Carter, Erin and Marcus. There's two pictures on their RR profiles now, ones that Renee took. Carter is smiling, with a thumbs up. He was more relaxed, and happy in that picture. I can't wait to see him home, smiling that he has a family, someone who cares about him. Renee has been home for almost a month. Things have probably settled down. Soon, Tyler, Alexis, Duncan, Sam, Patti and Pryce will disappear. From upstairs in the DS room, Bernadette (Jessica) and Mason will go home. Then Carter and Marcus will be left. Imagine how that will feel. When the facilitator asked who wanted a family, Carter raised his hand. He isn't smiling in his original picture because he was nervous. Nervous that his family wouldn't want him. Marcus was scared his family would see his legs and not want him, because he has believed the lies that no one wants a child with a disability. Carter will see that all his friends are being adopted, and he'll believe that he's not wanted. Go get him. Show him someone cares. God will provide. Show them love. Carter's just a normal kid, who happens to walk differently. Every kid goes to the doctor, maybe he'll need to go a little more often. Please don't let him live without a family. If I could, I'd adopt him. Just a normal kid.
This weekend, we had a speaker at our church. His name was Luke Everett, and he's the pastor from Rancho Sordo Mudo, a ministry for the deaf orphans in Mexico. He told us his life story, which was pretty amazing. You can hear it here and his message here. He went lost most of his hearing when he was little. His dad was called to be a missionary in Mexico, and they packed up their family and headed south (they lived in America). If you haven't seen the movie, "Hearing Everett", I suggest you do. It's about Rancho Sordo Mudo, and how his family was lead there. Listen to Luke's life story, while you're cleaning up. Have a family movie night and watched "Hearing Everett". He's now in his 50s. He's had a lot happen to him. But despite everything that has happened to him, he still has hope in Jesus. Give Carter that hope. Let him meet Jesus, so one day he can share his story with everyone. He is a miracle of God, save him.
I'm so excited, I hope to go to Rancho Sordo Mudo next year with my church. And I'm going to Haiti on a mission trip. I pray that it will all work out, and that one day, I'll be able to go to Carter's country on a mission trip. God Bless, have a good night.