Joy, Tears, and Frustration

This is Lincoln writing.
The last week has been an emotional roller coaster for us here at the shelter. Christmas time brings a rush of people wanting to help the shelter and bring donations of food and toys for the kids. A few days ago we had our third Christmas party. A lady in the community rented a slippy slide and jumping castle and provided a wonderful party for the kids in the shelter. Everyone had so much fun playing in the water on the 95 degree day.
The day before though was a day of frustration and tears. We received word that the courts had decided to release some siblings that we have had at the shelter back to their parents. When they came to us about 5 months ago they had wounds all over their body where their parents had beat them. When they first arrived they were so timid and fearful. Over the last several months it has been such a joy to watch those walls come down and see them fit into the shelter family. They became such a joy to all of us here at the shelter. The oldest sibling has such a bright enthusiastic smile, always willing to help and participate. For our first Christmas party the two oldest siblings participated in a human video where the main line of the song is "He knows my name, I am not forgotten." It was so moving to watch them act out the words of the song that talks about how special they are to God, how he has chosen them and named them before they were born. The second picture above shows two of the girls in the human video. Releasing them to their parents was painful for us. We have no choice, we have to obey the courts orders. It is so frustrating to deal with the courts and social workers that will return children to abusive situations. My only prayer is that God has somehow changed the hearts of those parents. God can do miracles. He can change hearts.
Yesterday a family in the community took all of the older kids to their private game farm where the kids got to see animals, swim, have a christmas party and have dinner. I didn't get to go, but I heard that it was a very special time for our kids. While she was there, Nomhle, our managing director, got a call from the same social worker that just sent the siblings back. She told us that she was coming to the shelter today to pick up one of our children to take her back to live with her Granny in Freedom Park for the holidays. Again, this is a situation where she was previously abused and neglected. The social worker wants this girl to return to Freedom Park permanently. In previous posts I've written about the conditions in Freedom Park. No child should have to live there, much less live there in a known abusive setting. Our hands are tied. Please pray with us that she is not returned permanently. Throughout this situation I've been thinking of the worship song that says:

"When the darkness closes in, still I will say 'blessed be the name of the Lord',
He gives and takes away, He gives and takes away,
blessed be the name of the Lord."

I can only trust God that he'll protect those children outside of our care.