As we load into our 6 passenger vehicle looking like a safari truck we manage to squeeze in 14 people and could probably manage playing human Tetris to fit a few more if necessary. Through the night I can see the people of the village surrounding our truck trying to say one more goodbye, just one more handshake before we go. Precious little hands fight over each other to get into the window to touch us, to say goodbye for what will probably be the last time ever. In the last few hours this village that I cannot even pronounce the name of has stolen my heart.
When we first pulled in my heart sank into my chest, my first judgment was that this place was hopeless. There were not the usual smiles as we passed, no one was waving back to us, and everyone just stared with vacant eyes at these white people. We were brought into a Sarah’s Covenant boy’s home and were introduced to the pastors. This is the most awkward I’ve felt on the race, sitting here staring back into the countless eyes not knowing what to say. But one little brave boy decides to smile and wave back and this broke the seal. Nervously they began to open up to us and by the time we walked out to do house visits we had new best friends. As we went house to house praying for the believers there, the boys went with us, soon more children joined and before we knew it we had a mob around us.
As we broke away to pray for the next house my heart began beating fast when I saw the woman we were to pray for. She carried her son in her arms; his arms and legs were the width of 2 fingers. He was born handicapped and could not take care of himself. Her husband had died and they owned no land. They were in a desperate situation and were looking for anything to give them a shred of hope. Pray for them, our only instructions, what could I possibly give to them? So we all began to pray and tears flowed from my eyes for the first time since leaving home. I felt her pain, this was the first time I understood what it felt like to have my heart break for what breaks Gods. Walking away from that house I was trying to clear the tears from my eyes when the most precious boy and girl ran up to me and grabbed each of my hands. They looked at me with such trust and hope in their eyes. What am I supposed to give to these people? What do I have to help them?
I have nothing that could fix their situations; I cannot take every child with me as much as I would want to. I only have a few fleeting hours with these people. Even if I wanted to come back, how would I? If you asked me to take you there today I couldn’t, I have no Idea where those smiling faces are. What I was able to give to those people is the only thing that does know exactly where they are, Jesus, He knows their village and their name. I was able to show them the love of the savior that is inside of me and when I left He did not. He is still there with them, loving on them and comforting them.
In a few short hours I was able to see what Gods love can do in front of my very eyes. The village that was so desperately sad was bursting at the seams with joy. It was nothing from us but rather it was from the power that lives inside of us
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Our Contact gave us henna tattoos on our second night! such an amazing experience.
Posing for a picture with the amazing kids in the village
