Emmanuel - God with us.

We had the random opportunity to travel with a group to a village called “Mamachrome”. We visited with some of the children and helped a team from Texas with a program.

The first few minutes, I met Emmanuel. So small, I assumed he was 5 or 6. As I picked him up, he held onto me tightly and dug his face into my shoulder as I squeezed little body. Kofi, our dear friend, told me “He is my boy. You know, he is 15 years?”, “What? How could this be? He is so small!”

I later found out that his mother tried to abort him when he was in the womb. Therefore, his growth and mental capability had been stunted. He was so sad, so hungry, completely capable of stealing my heart.

Tears form, even now, as I remember how big his smile got when he heard a familiar worship song. His frail body moved to the rhythm, and his smile captivated my heart.

They named him “Emmanuel” which means “God with us”. He and I sat under a tree – just rocking back and forth and I prayed and proclaimed that over him… that God be with him.

We’re prayed together this morning… genuinely thanking the Lord for our crushed spirits. We pray for brokenness for the plight of the orphan.