Remar is not your typical orphanage. It did not start as an orphanage, nor is it classified as an orphanage. It is a Christian Rehabilitation Centre offering hope! When there are people, specifically children in need, the police or social service brings them to Remar. Their stay is as long as necessary. They get fed and a bed, and share responsibilities to keep the place running. School is offered to the younger children while the older ones do chores. It is a busy place that needs love, prayer and encouragement. The faith of this place is unbelievable, as donations pour in – food, clothes and so much more – and they seek God to provide for their every need!
When we first began here at the beginning of the month, we had no idea where to start, other than pouring into these kids and keeping them entertained as we knew how…VBS! We did it in Haiti. It works at home…why not? So we planned…or at least attempted to, but in the end pretty much “winged” it. After a few hours, we knew this was not going to work and that we needed something more. But what and how did we go wrong?
The what is nothing and the how was in our strength – our flesh – and not by the strength of the Spirit. Our first morning was chaos. Some boys tried to skip class. The kids didn’t want to participate. We were forcing them to do something beyond what they knew…and to trust US!? A bunch of white Americans they just met? The afternoon went better after much prayer and rest from the exhaustion of the overwhelming “madness” that took place a few hours before!
The following morning, we all woke up exhausted. Only a few of us had got any sleep and most of us were feeling some kind of spiritual attack. Our ride came, and we ending up sending them away as we knew that our ministry needed to be with each other fighting the battle that was at hand – a battle between the spirit and our flesh. A battle that we could hear yet not see. A battle that was not ours to fight! The burdens and emotions from Remar filled our hearts…this place needed prayer!
We ended up spending the day praying and brainstorming what we can do with the kids at Remar that would draw them closer to God and yet have them be able to be them, having us see them for who they are, not what we want to shape them into. We wanted to be able to bring something to them by just being ourselves and using the gifts and passions God has given each of us, and encouraging them to do the same!
This is when God laid on our hearts the idea to just be – and meet them where they are at, just as God meets us where we are at, to take us to a new and deeper level! God spoke to us that day, and it has never been the same. TRUST ME!
Each day at Remar brings new opportunities to love, serve and share the gospel with over 50 children who need hope, love and a friend! To be able to laugh, dance, sing, pray, share and whatever else God lays on our heart is a blessing. It’s not about us, it’s about Him, and these kids. Loving them for who they are, just as they are! No day is the same! We expect God to show up and to guide us wherever and however. I believe this is preparation for what is to come – our ATL next month. Daily praying into what the Lord has in store for each one of us – and it will look different to us all…yet by listening to Him rather than our flesh, we will see wonders!
As we all found out the hard way, living in and walking in the flesh is exhausting. Are you walking in your flesh or trusting the Spirit to lead you daily? When your spirit desires what your flesh is fighting against, what do you listen to?
Our fleshly desires will fade away, but the spirit of the Lord in our lives will stand forever and bring TRUTH wherever we go!
