“He Plays Music like King David Played the Harp!”

To look at him, his confidence, and to hear him play the keyboard, bass guitar, and drums, you would never think he had a worry. But Richard is crippled in one leg, and the doctors said it’s “cerebral palsy.” He came to us eleven years ago when the earthquake hit, and the orphanage he lived in was crushed. We were going to keep him “only for a short while” and send him on to another orphanage that had handicapped children, but we all fell in love with him. God gave him a “gift to play music, like King David!”

He plays for our church and for other churches that have crusades. About a year ago, he began teaching our Love A Child children to play the keyboard, bass guitar, and drums. I think we will always have a Love A Child kid playing music and singing! He has a “special needs” bicycle that one of our partners sent, and he has been “riding to school” for a long time.

Now that he finished his education, he wanted to go to college. We had a terrible time trying to find a college for him. He would often need to ride a local “tap tap” (which looks like a pick-up truck with a covered top). There are always “many people” pushing and shoving to get on first, so they push their way on, to get a seat. From wherever the tap tap would drop him off, he would need to take a motorcycle, so, of course, he couldn’t carry his special bike.

We found a university not far from us that is “handicapped friendly,” the University of Balan. He will begin soon, and he can stay there and come home on the weekends. Richard is a wonderful young man with a dream. He dreams of being an “accountant.” He will study economics and accounting, just as James is doing. We all love Richard. He is sweet, kind, respectful, and loves the Lord!

We could not ask for anyone better!
Sherry