Spiritual Formation | 3/12/2026 8:29:00 AM

Written by: Abby Ross
 
It's hard to put today into words, because there were so many emotions on opposite ends of the spectrum. We got to see the Lord's presence in incredible ways, but also see the depths of our broken and sinful world.
 
This morning we went to the Vito Guarato orphanage (but it's for all ages) where they care for disabled children and adults, 80% of which have been abandoned. And man, nothing can prepare you for what you are walking into. They have over a hundred residents and so many are in wheelchairs, unable to walk, talk, and some of them can't even really comprehend. There is brokenness all around. Many of them living there have never and will never see the outside of those walls. They don't have any family who visit them and a lot of them probably spend a lot of time in pain.
 
We felt helpless in that situation. How do you help someone who you can't heal, can't talk to, and can't fully engage with. I began praying and talking to God about how I can serve them and love them well. What can I do when everything I normally do isn't an option? That's when He reminded me of the power of prayer. We began just praying over the residents. We would kneel beside them, lay a hand on them and just pray over them. It didn't matter that they couldn't understand our prayers, what mattered was that God knew and that we laid them at the feet of Jesus because that's that best place that they can be. Klotzy made a good point later in the night that prayer shouldn't be our "third line of defense". It shouldn't be the last choice when we can't heal and can't communicate, then we resort to the weaker option of prayer. It should always be our first thought. There is so much power in prayer and sometimes the best thing we can do for someone is to just surrender them to Christ.
 
I don't want to overlook how much beauty there was in that orphanage though. So many people there had a joy that could only come from the Lord. We played some P.E. games with them and either pushed them around or ran around with them. Even the ones that couldn't talk had a smile that radiated the light of Christ. They loved to sing and dance, and even just sit in our presence, holding our hands. They were so easy to please because anything we did with them brought them joy.
 
God has provided for that orphanage and those residents and He loves them so much. While they may have been abandoned by their earthly fathers, they will never be abandoned by their Heavenly Father. They were made in the image of God and have been created for a purpose. We may not see the reason for it in our broken world, but in the Kingdom of the God they have a special place. I look forward to the day when we get to reunite in Heaven. With no more pain and suffering and where they get to experience the beauty of life in eternity with Christ.
 
We then went to lunch where there was an amazing view and we got the opportunity to connect with each other and share our experiences at the orphanage.
 
Then we met Mirna at her school and played with the kids at recess. Immediately whenever we showed up, tons of kids ran up to us to hug us and talk to us. They all just so badly wanted to be in our presence. Their joy is so simple. We played games with them, talked to them, and just loved on them.
 
There was one little 5-year-old girl in particular who just latched onto me and wouldn't let go. Even when we were supposed to run, she just ran while clinging so tightly. She left for class so I said bye, and she did not want to leave. But then on our way to the bus, I hear my name being called. There she is behind the fence with her arms stretched out. She wanted another hug and she said "I love you very much". I didn't do anything to deserve that love except show up. But she so freely gave it to me even though I had nothing left to offer her because I was leaving. That is the same love our Father has for us. He calls us by name, freely loves us, and is always present.
 
God's beauty was evident in every detail of today. We got to see Him in the orphanage in the eyes of every person there. We saw Him in the beauty of the view at lunch, we saw Him in the joy of the kids at school simply delighting in our presence, and we got to see Him tonight as we talked about the day and all the ways that his presence was near. We serve a good good father who is worthy of all of our praise.
 
"Bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor." Isaiah 61:3