Abby Murphy is a Stay Member based in Ecuador.
When I looked up the word āwelcomeā, one of the Cambridge English Dictionary definitions was āto show someone that you are pleased that they are with youā.
As I was reflecting on my different involvements here in Santo Domingo, Ecuador, I kept coming back to the children and young people that I work with at Orphaids. Orphaids is a childrenās home that cares for children and young people, currently ranging from 3 to 24 years old, whose families have been affected by AIDS and HIV.
If thereās anyone that shows me that they are pleased when Iām with them, itās the kids that scream āAbby!ā and run up to hug me when I arrive at Orphaids, and who grab onto my arm and try to persuade me not to leave when it gets to the end of the afternoon and the bus is about to go past; itās the young people who know my schedule better than I do and check when they see me at church that Iām going to be at Orphaids on my usual afternoons the following week, or who protest if for some reason I havenāt been there to see them the previous week.
āWelcome is reciprocal and as Iāve tried to invest in and get alongside each of the children and young people at Orphaids, they have well and truly welcomed me into their lives in return.ā
There have been times Iāve stayed at the home, and weāve played countless games of UNO and the girls have painted my nails and plaited my hair. They also invited me to spend Christmas and New Year there with them and Iāll never forget the moment when we were praying prayers of thanksgiving and one of the girls prayed:
āThank you that even though Abby is far away from her own family, she can be with us and be part of our family here.ā
Practically, on a week to week basis, my involvement looks like picking some of the children up from school and spending a couple of afternoons at Orphaids helping with homework. Although I hope that is helpful, itās with a longer-term view to building relationships with the children and young people. Iāve felt God put on my heart the need to get alongside the older ones as they finish their secondary school education and look to the next steps and as part of this one of the older girls, now 24, recently moved into my flat to live with me. Sadly, it can be difficult to transition out of Orphaids and into the reality of life outside and my prayer for the young people is that, as Iāve welcomed them into my life and felt welcomed into theirs, ultimately they know that the biggest welcome they can find is in Jesus, who has the best plan and purpose for each of their lives.
If you would like to support Abby click here for their fundraising page.