Natalie

Who here among us has not been broken

Who here among us is without guilt or pain

So oft' abandoned by our transgressions

If such a thing as grace exists

Then grace was made for lives like this

There are no strangers

There are no outcasts

There are no orphans of God

So many fallen, but hallelujah

There are no orphans of God

Come ye unwanted and find affection

Come all ye weary, come and lay down your head

Come ye unworthy, you are my brother

If such a thing as grace exists

Then grace was made for lives like this

O blessed Father, look down upon us

We are your children, we need Your love

We run before Your throne of mercy

And seek Your face to rise above

-"Orphans of God"

I don't know if you have ever heard this song, but I heard it for the first time this past weekend on a retreat. But instead from hearing it over the stereo system, I heard it from the lips of a sweet girl named Natalie. 

Natalie is from Maldova, a place where she was orphaned as a young child and saved from a life of prostitution by willing servants of God. But thanks to His marvelous love, Natalie was rescued from this fate.

Now, Natalie lives in a Christian-based home that was built by the hands and hearts of volunteers in Maldova with a group of many other orphaned girls who were rescued from the same fate. In this home, Natalie heard this song and fell in love with it. She learned the meaning of the English words and realized how this song was about her. This song was her story. 

She was invited to come to the retreat I was at to sing this beautiful song, with her "father" playing acoustic guitar in the background and her friends surrounding her on stage. While everyone listened to this sweet girl sing these powerful words, I think that every heart melted, mine included. It felt as if time stood still. 

When this performance sadly ended, it wasn't long before the audience was standing on their feet in loud applause and amazement (and many in tears). Not only in amazement of Natalie's singing, but of how awesome God is. God was there on stage with Natalie that night...and everyone knew it, everyone felt it.

I wish that everyone could have heard this performance. I will never forget the sound of her voice or the image of her in tears as everyone was standing for her in applause.

Natalie was saved by the love of our Father in heaven, and because of His love, there are no orphans. 

Thank you, Natalie, for your story. 

Emily