Narissa and Akim, with his rare smile.
Meet Nerissa Kenan: a recent Seattle Pacific University graduate who knew her purpose was to serve underprivileged children; a calling that allowed her to touch the heart of one quiet, little boy.
As the summer of ’12 approached, Nerissa heard about the Seattle Pacific Reachout International programs hosted by SunErgos International. It would involve traveling overseas to Russia and working with kids. Immediately, she knew that is where she wanted to go. From her studies as an “Individual and Family Development” major, Nerissa knew Russian orphanages rarely offer physical touch – like holding babies or giving hugs – to the children which can lead to developmental problems.
At the beginning of July 2012, Nerissa and her team arrived in Russia. She spent the first three days learning all about Russia’s history and culture. At the end of it, she learned about who she would be working with: babies!
Once her training was complete, Nerissa arrived at the HIV baby orphanage in St. Petersburg and met the children. Nerissa clearly remembers the first day she walked into the playroom with a huge smile on her face. As she looked around, her heart was pouring over with love for the room full of beautiful children.
Immediately children ran over to greet her. She noticed one little boy standing off to the side while the others played with her. She soon learned his name was Akim.
Eventually, the other children went back to running around and Nerissa looked over again at Akim. Still sitting where she was, she put her arms out to him. Akim looked at her, then quietly walked over and sat in her lap. Then he nestled his head into her shoulder.
“It was like God breaking my heart in the most beautiful way,” Nerissa explained. For the next few minutes she sat there holding him, rocking him, and praying over him, trying her best to hold back tears.
After a while Akim went to join the other kids who were playing. But Nerissa knew that Akim had taken a piece of her heart she didn’t want back. The next few days proceeded the same way with Nerissa holding and praying over him.
Sometime after her visit to Russia, Nerissa wrote Akim a letter in her journal:
Akim, my sweet boy. I miss you.
I saw your name on something the other day and so many thoughts ran through my mind. What if I would have met you 8 years from now? When I was older, possibly married, and ready to be a mom. I know deep down I would have adopted you, I would have started the process the day I met you… I hope you’re okay and happy. And I hope that a family saw you and fell in love as fast as I did. You will make an incredible son one day, and whoever gave you up is missing out. I love you, and I’m trusting God is watching after you.
Nerissa never learned where he was from or how he ended up in the orphanage. But it didn’t matter. What mattered was a quiet little boy needed to be loved and Narissa was able to meet that need with a heart overflowing.