a promise

The picture is worth a thousand words.

Words that I poured out of my heart during my time in Sierra Leone last February.

Words that you can read about here. 

Sharif and his grandmother hold a special place in my heart.

They captured me and allowed me to feel emotions I didn't know existed.

They gave me courage to step up and step out in my faith, in my career, in my love.

We received word today that Sharif's grandmother,

who is pictured above just moments before she would

 give her grandson into the care of The Raining Season Orphanage,

has died.

Sharif does not yet know.

She was all he had left.

 Eight years old and every member of his family is dead.

His only family is The Covering.  

This woman gave up her grandson.

She humbled herself to say, "I can't do this alone."

Humbled herself to say, "I need help."

Humbled herself to say, "You do it."

And today, as I mourn her death, I have to praise God for her courage!

I have to thank our Lord that she had the strength to be humbled,

the stamina to step out,

 and the faith to place her precious grandson in the arms of someone else.

That day as I hugged this woman, I made her a promise that I would take care of her son.

I fully intend to keep that promise!