God wrecked my heart in January here and He continues to break it even when I think it's impossible for anymore to be wrecked, but all things are possible with God :) (Matthew 19:26). It's one of the biggest blessings having my heart break for what breaks His. I'm beginning to learn to see people how God sees them. About 2 weeks ago, we had our first team of the summer come in. With the group came a lady who is a pediatrician in the States. While she was here, I got the chance to help her with annual, simple check ups with the children. Reality began to hit right in the face, and when reality here hits, it hits hard. I knew most of the kids stories and that they had suffered more in their short life than most people ever will in a lifetime in the States, but I never really opened my eyes or accepted it until that day. I had been so blind and ignorant. I found myself choking back tears throughout the check ups multiple times because God was awakening me to this awful reality. The kids who have had me falling in love with them since January have been abused (mentally, emotionally, physically, & sexually) all their lives. This truth angered me and shattered my heart. All I could do was cry and hold Kimberly as tight as I could. It's moments like those or when you find out one of the children's fathers was so abusive it made him feel safer living on the streets hundreds of miles away than in his own home, that God overflows your heart with more emotion and compassion than you know what to do with.
I am thankful and grateful for being blessed with a wonderful family and a decently easy life when I don't deserve any more than any of the kids here have. God has been showing me lately how He is my Heavenly Father, and my prayer is that these children would truly know the love that their true Father has for them. He will never leave us. He's always good and beautiful, and His love never fails. I'm praying to know how to love the way He loves.
Photo credit is due to Jenna Scherdell:)
The last week or so, I've been seeing how not only is God my Father, but He's our healer. He's perfect! There have been so many illnesses affecting so many people here, including myself which was not fun. We also had sweet Jomayco land the wrong way after jumping out of a tree causing his arm to break at his elbow. There's a chance that the break will effect his growth plate so prayers for quick and easy recovery and wisdom from the doctors during surgery would be greatly appreciated.
God is healing bodies, hearts, and wounds (physically and emotionally).
Despite the trauma from last week, hearts are opening this week. There have been prophesies given to the children, and some of them responded with hunger for more. They're hungry for the joy and love of Christ, and they're beginning to see it. It's definitely been an emotionally, exciting week watching, talking, and praying with them. I'm so excited for what God has in store here. Caleb keeps telling us that he wants more of Jesus. Watching him read his prophecy the other night was so awesome. All he kept saying over and over again was "Wow!" God is longing for Caleb's heart! You can see it and feel that Caleb is genuinely starting to understand it all. He's wanting this gift of love!
"And now Israel, what does The Lord your God require of you, but to fear The Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve The Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul." Deuteronomy 10:12
Pray that Caleb keeps his heart open and receptive for The Lord. Pray that all these children would have their hearts open more and more to receive The Lord also.
"Set me as a seal upon your heart,
As a seal upon your arm;
For love is as strong as death,
Jealousy as cruel as the grave;
Its flames are flames of fire, a most vehement flame.
Many waters cannot quench love,
Nor can the floods drown it."
Song of Solomon 8:6-7
