Playgroup

I’m learning to love like God loves, slowly. 

The one thing that struck me this week was a huge need with children with disabilities and children that are behind in their development. On Wednesday, after our staff meeting, I seen Molly and her daughter, Stacia. I had seen Stacia a few times but this time felt compelled to take Stacia from her mum and give her some cuddles. Stacia is 10 months old and has down syndrome. I put out my hands and she came to me straight away. I cuddled and played with her for about 20mins before she started crying and I gave her back to her mum. 

In the 20 mins that I was playing with Stacia, God placed a huge need on my heart for children with disabilities and children that are behind in their development.

Immediately after giving Stacia back to her Mum, I started doing some research about Down Syndrome and activities that would help with development. God then placed on my heart to start a playgroup with these children. Within 30 mins of when I first held Stacia in my arms, after talking to Danielle and Vanita (Internationals that also volunteer with Operation Uganda), we had come up with four children that we knew could benefit from the playgroup. I asked our social worker, Pamela if we could visit these families and explain to their mother’s what was being started and if they would like to bring their children along. 

The next day I went to visit Molly with Pamela. When I walked inside her tiny house, no bigger than a bathroom, the smell of urine hit me so strong and I stepped in a pool of liquid, which I’m pretty sure was wee. I seen Molly’s other daughter Rita sitting on the cold concrete floor. Rita is severely disabled, almost deaf and almost blind. I knew straight away that Rita needed to be part of whatever God had placed on my heart the day before. Molly was so thankful!

I don’t have a clue what or how to run this playgroup but I know God will guide me. I have no experience with disabled children but that’s what’s so amazing about the love of God, you don’t need to know what to do, you just need to love and He will do the rest…