The Least of These

You have to prepare yourself to visit the special needs orphanage in Roman, Bulgaria. To arrive unprepared might leave you a bit overwhelmed. First, you have to discard ideas you might have about cleanliness.  Your first reaction may not be that you just can’t wait to hug these kids. I mean they are bathed regularly, but by the time you meet them their hands may be dirty and their faces might be covered in dried snot. The smells are not pleasant. At best they smell like kids who have played outside for a long time, at other times more sinister odors emerge. One of the teenagers with which I interacted had had a bowel movement which remained unattended. If you don’t prepare yourself, you won’t be ready.

You have to prepare yourself to know that you may not get lots of warm fuzzy feelings from being with these kids. They can easily overwhelm your emotions and sensitivities. Some will mob you and demand your attention. Others will remain withdrawn. Some want to talk to you. Others can’t speak at all. Some play well together. Others are obvious bullies. Some have elements of cuteness. Others, well to be honest, part of you wants to look away. You have to realize, it is not really about you at all. If you don’t come to grips with that fact, you have come to the wrong place.

You have to prepare yourself not to judge the broken exterior of the buildings and the mismatched and poor fitting clothes. It is what it is. Those in charge do a lot with a little. Your place is not to bring change. Instead, do your best to empower the Bulgarians who are there to help. Don’t forget that you are the foreigner. But you can love them. You can bring them joy. You can be in their lives for a little while.

You will try to play with them. Games don’t usually last long before interest is lost or another one comes in and steals the ball. Some have amazing basketball skills in spite of the fact that their shots could not appear more awkward. You will get to help some draw. You will be the one do the drawing for others who can’t make their brains and hands work together to make a picture. You will be amazed as some, who can’t seem to do much else, sit down and quickly create a beautiful sketch.

The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. “The least of these.” Surely Jesus had these children in mind when he said those words. I think we make it to complicated sometimes. All we have to do is to love and sometimes just be there for the least of these. Who are the least of these in your life?