Once Upon A Snow

ALINA’S STORY

“If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it.” – John 14:14

At the age of 13, after Alina’s mother fell ill and died suddenly of cancer, and she and her twin sister were sent to a Ukrainian orphanage, Alina decided God did not exist. Missionaries came to visit the orphanage, and upon encountering their love and hearing the gospel, one fateful night while lying in bed and looking out the window, Alina asked God a question. “God, if you are real, cause a star to fall from the sky.”

Not even a minute later, Alina saw a shooting star, and faith entered her heart to believe that her prayer had been answered — God would give her an American family to adopt her! At that same time, her soon-to-be adoptive mother was undergoing a serious operation. While under anesthesia, she had a vision of twin girls, and she knew she had to adopt them.

Alina now lives in Oregon with her family, and when she found our website and read about the trip to visit the children of Casa Vallado, she knew she had to go.

ONCE UPON A SNOW

“When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers… what is man that you are mindful of him… that you care for him?” – Psalm 8:3-4

At the age of 13, Angeles had never seen snow, so when reports of a chance of snow came in, all the children were buzzing with excitement. Angeles was 3 when our team first visited Casa Vallado ten years ago, and today is the second oldest child at Casa Vallado.

Is it possible that it would snow? The children wondered. What is possible to a child? They had just received bags of gifts from people in a far off land, which they clutched while they prayed to God with thanksgiving. You would not expect to see such a Christmas in a children’s home in Mexico.

Just before receiving their gifts, Alina shared her story of hope with them. They all seemed to lock eyes with this grown-up orphan from the Ukraine as she told her story.

On our final night in San Luis Potosi, a strong, cold wind blew through the streets, and the chill in the air caused most of us to huddle inside to enjoy a special tamale dinner together. As I sat with Angeles, I asked her if she had ever seen snow. “Nunca,” she said. Never.

Soon after, kids were running in and out of the house talking excitedly about something, so Angeles and I went outside — it was snowing. We all looked up, marveling at the sight. Angeles asked me while looking at snowflakes fall into her hands, “Esta es nieve?” “Yes! This is snow!” I answered in Spanish. As we danced around in the snow with joy, it hit me. She was asking me to confirm something she had never seen before.

It now made sense to me why I was in Mexico missing my three-year-old daughter’s first snow the night before — I was to enjoy it with another daughter, who has been in our lives through the Vallado Project since she was three-years-old.

After the trip was over, I wondered what was going on in those kids’ minds and hearts as the snow was falling. I also wondered if any of the children had prayed to God for the snow — and what it would mean for them. As I enjoyed these thoughts, I also enjoyed seeing a video of my daughter playing in the snow.

 

Happy New Year!

Troy Robertson