Read her touching story below:
"Who will be my buddy?"
These are the first words that I heard Peter speak (in Mandarin). It was day 1 of the Bring Me Hope summer camp for orphans, and Peter did not have an American buddy matched to him yet. As an exhausted staff member, I had previously decided to not have a buddy that week. Plans changed. With one look at this little boy I knew we were supposed to spend the week together. I walked across the room and grabbed Peter's hand, saying I was his buddy. The smile that erupted on his face is etched in my memory forever. During that first day, Peter and I bonded more quickly than any other child I had every been matched with. During day 2 of camp we had a water gun fight with all the other kids. For over an hour Peter positioned himself between me and the others shouting, "You can't shoot her! If you shoot her I will get you!" I laughed as I watched him race around, trying to protect me by shooting all the other kids with water.
As the week progressed, my laughter turned into sorrow as I saw this precious boy yearn for love. If I spent one moment with another child, Peter would become jealous. He though he had to work harder to earn my love. He served me food, filled my cup with water, gave me his toys, stole candy from other children to give to me, and yes, even wrote me notes and drew pictures. The pictures always told the same story. He carefully colored a strong prince and one princess. When he gave it to me he said I was the princess, and he was the hero.
Even though he had a soft heart, Peter was strong. He tried to hide the fact that he wore a diaper, disappearing for short times to change himself. When he returned he pretended like nothing happened. I watched all of this, and decided that Peter was my strong hero.
Friday came, and it was time to say goodbye. I had been dreading this moment all week, and wasn't sure how Peter would respond. Hist strength faltering, he held my hand tightly as we walked to the car door. Before he got in, a small tear fell down his cheek. The first tear I had seen all week. Hesitating for just a moment, Peter turned around and hugged me tightly. As I wrapped my arms around him, a personal responsibility for him grew in my heart. He may be leaving, but I was his advocate.
The car pulled out of the driveway, and as tears streamed down my face it began to pour down in rain. I looked heavenward and asked the Lord, "Why is he alone? Why doesn't he have a family?" The reply? "Becca, you can speak loudly on his behalf."
And so I am. Would you consider bringing this little boy, my little brother, into your family?
His words are still in my heart,
"You're going to find me a family, aren't you Becca?"
You can see his video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUHn2H5IcTI
More about Peter from Becca:
Peter's Description
Peter is a 10 year old boy with a heart looking for genuine love. Peter will quietly perform acts that show his desire for attention. He will give his last piece of candy, hold your hand all day, draw pictures of him being the prince and you the princess, and ensure that you are protected. He doesn't smile quickly or give hugs readily, but you can see in all the small actions that he is waiting for love.
Peter has been diagnosed with two things: Spina Bifida (which makes him incontinent), and a low IQ. However, I am in the process of a foreign doctor re-examining him because I spent a week with Peter and never once thought he was mentally slow. I believe this was a miss-diagnosed. As for his incontinence, it does not slow him down at all. He can play soccer, swim, sing songs, read, write, and feed himself. A foreign doctor I spoke with told me that once Peter's in a family his need can be greatly helped using toileting and behavioural strategies.
Please comment here or email me for more information on sweet Peter!
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