by Danielle Bergman

Over the years, El Sauzal Home for Children has seen many teenagers come through the doors. The teenage years bring unique challenges of their own; one pattern we have seen is that teenagers often come with high walls up around their hearts. Some of the experiences these young people have endured create deep wounds. They have often been hurt and mistreated by the only adults they have known. Understandably, they may arrive protective of their siblings and lacking trust towards others, especially adults.

Of course this is hard to witness, and sometimes its hard to know how to help these special youth learn to trust again. However, over the last few years we have had the privilege, during our visits to El Sauzal Home for Children, to get to know two such young ladies. Both of these girls, Vanessa and Laura, were shy, reserved, and very guarded the first time that we met them. They did not talk or interact much, and they tended to stay on the sidelines during organized group activities. This year, however, was different while our church group was at the Home. This year, we got to observe the girls laughing, playing, and genuinely enjoying time with the nannies, the staff, each other, and our church group members. We saw joy and trust, and confidence blossoming within them! What a beautiful sight it was!

Being able to witness, even just a part of this transformation in these two young ladies is such a blessing. It is a reminder of what being surrounded by love and shown healthy affection can do for the children and youth that enter our gates of the El Sauzal Home for Children.

Of course, we know that full healing takes time, and we know that the journey is not yet complete for either Vanessa or Laura. But we can trust that the Lord is working to heal and restore them through the security they now have in this El Sauzal Family. Praise the Lord!

Danielle attends Tacoma Christian Reformed Community Church, in Tacoma, Washington.