Why I Can't Let Go

I wrote a poem last night as I thought of a memory with some incredible boys. They had shown me some of their scars and shared a few of their experiences. I had cried with them and then they asked me to teach them to pray.

I haven't been able to let go of their prayers. I still feel them and others like them that are prayed every night. This is why we sold our home and moved to Mexico.

Their Prayers

Standing behind my van one night 

Three teen boys asked, “How do we pray?”

“Just share your heart, say what you feel

He is your Father, He’s there, He’s real.

“I’ll start,” I said, “Dear Father God,

You love these boys, you know their hearts,

Please help them know you’re always there.

To feel your love and know you care.”

“I don’t know where,” one of them said,

“My older sister is today,

But please bless her to find a home,

And help her know that I’m okay."

“Thanks for a roof over my head,” 

The second boy went on to pray, 

“Will you please help the nightmares stop 

and help me not be so afraid?” 

“And for me, Lord,” the third boy said,

“Find me a home and family” 

“I want to be adopted, God,  

will you get someone to choose me?" 

I hugged them all; they went to bed.

I stayed awake that night and pled,

“Oh God, what can I do for them?

They hurt so much, it isn’t fair.

"I go back home in a few days…

Warm showers, carpet, heated air.

But I can’t leave this orphanage

With all of these unanswered prayers.

“I have fam’ly to care for now, 

I can’t do more; I don’t know how.

Please take this longing from my heart.

Or help me find and do my part.”

 “Dear child,” I heard inside my mind,

“I cannot take the love you find. 

It comes from me; it’s how you’re made.

I love them, too, and feel their pain.

"There’s more like them. They’re everywhere.

I send them comfort, help them bear

The pain that others cause them here

Until they come and dwell with me.

"But you’re not here by chance, my child.

You’re here to share that love you feel.

Do all you can for them, I ask,

Share what you have and love them still.

"Your kids have gifts and talents, too

Opportunities I’ve given you.

Use them wisely in this life

To answer prayers and share my light.”

I try my best to heed this call

I make mistakes, stumble, and fall

But through the mess and failed attempts

I feel their prayers and try again. 

I hope our efforts bear some fruit, 

They ripple out, away, and through

The hearts of others who are blessed

To care about unanswered prayers.

How to Help

Will you please share the video above with your friends?

Will you also consider becoming a monthly donor? We are trying to recruit 200 monthly donors by January so we can head back to Mexico and continue this work.

Lastly, will you pray for the miracle of getting all of these donors? And pray for the kids we will be able to help once we get there?

With love,

Karen Bates

P.S. Thank you for being here with us!