Sonya

One of my favorite girls at the orphanage I am at is named
Sonya. She has touched my heart in countless ways.

My first encounter
with Sonya was the initial time we went to the orphanage. She gave her testimony,
which was full of events and experiences that I myself could never imagine
going through. She is originally from Nepal—that is why she is so light skinned
in comparison to her darker-skinned friends, and her eyes give away more of an
Asian slant. I learned that her mother died giving birth to her younger sister,
who is also at the orphanage. Her father moved her and her family to India where
they encountered many difficult times, more specifically they were poor. They were so poor that her father almost sold
her into prostitution in return for a chicken once. Thank G he didn’t. That is
the way life is—desperate times, desperate measures; but our father had a plan
for Sonya. The original founder of this orphanage found Sonya and brought her
and her sister into a safer place. This is also where she learned about our father.

The other
day I taught Sonya’s class. She is in first grade and is no older than 10. I
usually teach the 7^th grade boys, but this day our father led me to
teach the 1^st class. At the end of our session, Sonya gives me a
card that she’s made. It’s on orange construction paper and the front says: “To
Vikki Aunti.” Inside the card it reads: “I love you so much. You are so beautful
[beautiful]. I Rray [P] for you. G Love You. I den [don’t] hive [have] any
thing to give you soory [sorry] Vikki Aunti. From Sonya. J loves you.” On the
back is an intricate drawing of a red flower.

I kept
reading the line, “I don’t have anything to give you sorry.” As if I need
anything; but such a willing and giving heart. Here is a child who doesn’t have
yet desires to give. This really hit me because I have more than enough in my
life and I don’t have a desire like that to want to give.

I think we
can learn a lot from Sonya’s heart of service. I know our father is going to do
mighty things in her. With a heart like that, she is going to reach tons of
people for J.