Here in Panama, Saturdays have become laundry days for me and I have quickly come to look forward to them. Not because of the haul of very dirty clothes, the well used washing machines or the constant beads of sweat accumulating on my upper lip.
Oh no. It’s because of a boy named Aaron. Aaron is one of my kids in the kindergarten class I help teach, he is five years old, the only Chinese boy in class, known as one of the more challenging kids in class and has brought me to tears. Every time we make that trek to the Lavadoria (Laundromat), Aaron shows up, never in short supply of hugs, the gentlest high-fives a five year old boy has ever given, and Halls cough drops he has bought himself.
At school, we instantly became buddies. Every day at recess I hear “Maestra!! Empujame Pleeeease!! (Teacher! Push me please!!)” as he is eagerly waiting on the swings, we show off our ninjas skills, and he constantly needs to be able to sit on my lap or hold my hand in class. He has captured my heart.
It was heartbreaking to discover that this sweet little boy is one of the many kids that attend Doulos Academy coming for abusive homes. When I found that out I was reduced to tears, feeling has helpless as humanly possible. Aaron is five years old, and he goes to school, being forced to prepare for bullying because of being the only Chinese kid and then he goes home to abuse. There is no where he can go. There’s got to be something more I can do than just be nice to him for 6 weeks!! God, why does all that pain and evil have to happen to helpless children?
I admit that thinking about it breaks my heart and can be extremely discouraging. But with the help of my team members and a lot of prayer from God, I know that He is with my friend Aaron. He knows Aaron’s pain, He knows his dreams, his needs, his cries for help and He loves him so much. And Aaron is beginning to know that as well. Not coming from a Christian home, Aaron prayed for the first time and I knew that he is going to be okay.
So, that is my story about my buddy Aaron. I am so blessed to be able to know him and get to teach him for five weeks and hopefully run into him on laundry day. Please keep him in your prayers as well as the rest of the precious kids of Doulos Academy.
Matthew 18:3 "Truly I say to you, unless you turn around and become as young children, you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of Heaven."
