One of the many activities that filled the weekend was a movie night we put on for the girls on Saturday. I rented a few videos and took my laptop, speakers, and a projector out to the ranch. Together with Bel, the ranch director, and her husband Carlos, we nailed and hammered to put up a makeshift outdoor screen (a white sheet), and went searching for all the right extension cords, plugs, and other necessary equipment for the “movie theater” to come together. As we worked, many girls wandered over from time to time, curious to know what was going on, and if they would be invited. One girl’s comment particularly touched me:
Bruna* is 12 years old and has a little bit of a lisp. She is a sweet little girl with a certain air of maturity beyond her years – she seems too serious to be a 12-year-old girl. She doesn’t know who her father is and probably never will. Her mother, with no place to live and seeing no other option, left her and her younger sister at a church and hasn’t been seen since.
As I was finishing set-up and about to test the projector, Bruna walked up and, with much curiosity, asked, “What is that?” “We’re going to watch a movie,” I answered, as I continued setting up the computer. “Oh, cool,” was her reply. And then she added, “Is this a sign that you like us?” I was taken back by the question, which made me immediately stop everything I was doing and turn my full attention to little Bruna. Her question hit me like a ton of bricks; I was appalled as I realized her uncertainty of acceptance, and the fact that a simple movie night could mean so much to her. With great enthusiasm and a tight hug and kiss on her forehead, I confirmed, “Yes, it is!” Then, very matter-of-factly, little 12-year-old Joice looked up at me and said, “Oh. Thank you,” and returned to her house.
Within an hour, the whole lawn was covered with girls wrapped up in blankets as the night continued to cool. Giggles and chatter could be heard throughout the ranch, as we waited for everyone to arrive and get settled for the movie. Popcorn was passed around, and the joy of that special night could be felt in the air. Little Bruna sat close to me, and we shared a bowl of popcorn with a few other girls around us. Although we didn’t exchange any more words, I knew what a huge impact this simple act of putting on a movie night had had on Bruna. And I pray that she would know not only the love that I have for her, nor that the rest of our staff has for her, but the love that the Father has for her. He gave her that movie night, as a sign that He loves her. And He will never abandon her.
*Her name has been changed for her protection.
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