Our month in Bolivia has been so incredible so far, I’m learning so much about what it means to be a child, more specifically a daughter, of the King. Throughout Scripture we, as Christians, are called heirs and children of God. Those of us who know Him were given “the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but the will of God” John 1:12. In Romans 8:16 we are told that the “Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ (Possibly one of my favorite moments in Scripture, fellow heirs with Christ? Pretty sweet.), provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him”. How incredible, seriously sometimes I can’t believe it, that the Creator of everything desires for us to be his heirs and children. It’s fantastic.
My teammates and I, hanging out on the playground of the hospital. Fun times.
For a long time, I have felt that any problem I saw was absolutely my responsibility to fix and if I couldn’t fix it then I was a failure. From leadership positions in church organizations, friends’ problems, family issues, and even my relationship with the Lord, I have always wanted to be in control of every situation so that, if necessary, I could fix any issues that arose. I’m learning that everything isn’t my responsibility, that sometimes it’s my place to sit, listen, and obey someone else. That I have parents who love my siblings and I and who will take care of each other. That there are incredible people in my church family who are more than willing to step up and be leaders. That here on the World Race, I’m a follower, I’m a receiver of information rather than the dispenser as I so often am at home. I’m learning that it’s okay to not know every detail, that sometimes its nice to be able to trust. That my responsibility in my relationship with the Lord is just to love Him and be obedient to what He asks of me, to allow myself to be comforted and protected by Him, to sit in His presence and believe that He loves me. My Daddy in heaven has declared that His plans are “plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart” Jeremiah 29:11-13. I finally feel like I seeking after Him with my whole heart, and it is so refreshing.
This revelation I’m currently going through has only been expedited by the beautiful and loving children that I have the pleasure of hanging out with on most days. My teammates and I are working a school for deaf children, most of who have been abandoned by their parents because they are deaf. These children are some of the most joyful I’ve ever met. They laugh and yell as they run around the playground, they study and do homework, they do chores and watch out for one another. They know that they are loved and so they thrive. They are loved not only by the people who have dedicated their lives to teaching and caring for these young ones, but are loved by their Father in heaven. Watching a deaf child pray has been by far one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had, that they, who can’t use their voices can still speak and glorify God.
Pablo and Alfredo, two of the boys at the deaf school, they really love wearing our sunglasses.
They are still children of course, they get in fights, don’t pay attention in class, and my personal favorite, close their eyes when they don’t want to listen to you (the equivalent of a hearing child holding their ears). But somehow they makes them even more loveable, through their flaws they are showing their vulnerabilities and so show us how we can help them. These precious children of the King have taught me what it means to love without question, without requirements, without passing some sort of test. They just love us, and have from the minute they laid eyes on us. I can’t help but be reminded that this how the Father sees me, his beautiful child, full of doubts and vulnerabilities, but also full of promise and expectation.
David, a fan favorite, who is apparently a born photographer. This kid takes pictures of everything, he even has a photo-taking stance. Its my favorite.
This is how I know that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, using the heart God gave me, and learning so much about Him and what it means to bring His Kingdom to the earth.
I can’t imagine what He is going to teach me next, but I’m excited to share it with all of you. Thanks for reading, for praying, and for believing in me. It means more than you can know.
Love,
Lindsey
