Holy Trinity Anglican Church partners with Heart’s Cry Children’s Ministry in Panama to support its mission to care and advocate for orphans with special needs. This year, 18 members spent a week serving alongside the ministry’s staff and others. What follows is a personal account of that trip, written by Susan Leigh.
On the first day of Holy Week, our group of nine adults and nine youth departed from RDU for a five-day trip to Panama to serve with Heart’s Cry Ministry, whose mission is to care for “the least of the least” – orphaned children with special needs. Our trip focused on spending time at Casa Providencia, the country’s only orphanage dedicated to these children, as well as visits to two other orphanages struggling to care for abandoned children with limited staffing and scarce resources.
My 16-year-old daughter and I were excited and anxious about what lay ahead. We don’t speak Spanish, have never been to an orphanage, and have no experience with special-needs children. We quickly learned none of that mattered.
Each day revealed both deep need and profound joy. Many of the children have experienced abandonment, abuse, or severe developmental challenges, and some may never leave institutional care. Yet the most powerful moments came not through grand gestures, but through our simple presence – playing games, blowing bubbles, painting nails, sharing meals, and offering undivided attention.
Despite language barriers and complex needs, the children responded to what they understood most clearly: unconditional love. We poured ourselves into one-on-one interactions, ensuring each child felt seen, valued, and cherished.
The experience was both humbling and hope-filled. While the challenges these children face are immense, Heart’s Cry Ministry continues to advocate for improved care and adoption opportunities. The trip served as a reminder that showing up with love and compassion can bring light into even the most difficult circumstances.
Our Holy Week was spent in the presence of Jesus, using our hands to do God’s work. We returned to the United States on Good Friday, reflecting on the Father’s unconditional love in the sacrifice of His son for our salvation, and the reminder that we can offer that same unconditional love to everyone we encounter.
