And grace shall lead us home!

 She’s fourth-generation Dar El Awlad on one side of her family and third-generation on the other, but the important thing is this: Yasmine Joy is home!  After a very long seven days, Ruth and I are thankful and relieved to have our daughter with us in full health. It has been a rainy winter’s week around here but this little girl is rays of sunshine!

When it comes to Dar El Awlad, Yasmine is only the most recent of many hundreds of children who have arrived over the past near-70 years to call this place a home.  It is a special thought that her parents, grandparents, great grandparents and a host of other blood relatives can share the claim.  The homeyness goes beyond blood connection; however, and we are surrounded by a community of many dozens ready to play their part in fulfilling the proverb that “it takes a village to raise a child.”  What a blessing that God has placed us where we are, yet we regret the distance that separates us from many loved once.  Surely the future holds meaningful moments for Yasmine to discover her global network of special friends and family.

After more than seven years of contributing to Dar El Awlad’s mission or raising children, Ruth and I suddenly find ourselves with our very own.  This is naturally a ‘unique case,’ but the hope for Yasmine is the same hope for every child that passes through the ministry: to experience the transforming power of Jesus Christ so that they are enabled to give hope to others.  It is not about religion, doctrine or sect, but rather the discovery of each individual’s true identity in the loving heart of God. 

The 4^th century Church Father St. John Chrysostom, despite never having children of his own, has left a rich collection of biblical teachings on the ultimate, heaven-centered goal of child rearing.  He emphatically heartens parents and caregivers to “seek not how (a child) shall enjoy a long life here, but how he shall enjoy a boundless life hereafter.”  In language that relevantly resonates even centuries down the line, Chrysostom charges us with an earnest plea: “Raise up an athlete for Christ!”[i]  This is what we aim to do as Dar El Awlad as well as The Hamouds.

We are thrilled with our little girl.  Mommy is deepening a love that has been growing for many months.  Daddy is often at a loss of words, but never at a loss of pride and joy in creation’s theatrics that continue to play out in front of him.  Our supreme prayer for Yasmine is the same for every child: that Christ may dwell in their hearts through faith- that they, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that they may be filled with all the fullness of God! (Epesians 3:17-18).  Amen!

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[i] Chrysostom, John. “An address on Vainglory and the Right Way for Parents to Bring Up Their Children”

Ruth and her special works of art (I like them both, but the one she's holding is my favorite).

Getting settled into home 

Oh dear, we're already being targeted by marketers.