“Mami mami!!” Screamed 7 year old Mercy after being taken into her room with her 2 year old little brother, Dariel. Their mentally ill mother was standing on the street outside the compound yelling for them. Mercy and Dariel were dropped off by the police on Gracie’s door step at 3am on Mother’s Day. Their mother frequently comes by the compound and yells for her kids but she is unable to take care of them. Every time this happens, we have to take Mercy and Dariel into their bedroom so that they cant hear. Seeing tears fall down Mercy’s face was heartbreaking. She knew that her mom was right outside the compound walls but she couldn’t be with her. She is the strongest 7 year old I know. She takes care of Dariel as if she is his mother. She changes his diaper. She rubs his face so that he will fall asleep. She brings him his toothbrush and water after every meal. She constantly makes sure that he is taken care of. If someone is passing out cookies, she will make sure he knows to go get some. There was one time when someone was walking through with a pot of hot water and all the kids were in the way. I saw Mercy go and grab Dariel to get him out of the way. She is 7 years old. Her smile brightens the day. Her laugh turns a bad day into an amazing one. Despite all her pain, she is strong for her brother. I don’t know everything they have been through in their life. I don’t know the things they have seen. But I do know that she is only 7 years old and Dariel is only 2 and they should never have had to go through what they went through. I also know that they are safe now and that God has amazing plans for their life. If they are already as strong and intelligent as they are now, I can’t even imagine what incredible things they are going to do in life. Gracie always tell us to not look at the kids for what they’ve been through but to look at them for what they are doing and what they’re going to do. We are hoping to be able to place them in a loving foster home soon. So please be praying that God quickly provides a foster home, that the mother no longer comes by the compound, that Mercy and Dariel continue to be filled with hope, and that they always remember they are a daughter and son of the most loving Father. Psalm 147:3 “He heals the broken-hearted and binds up their wounds.”
