Let me state the obvious: It’s hot. I sweat when I
sit, stand, sleep and I’m pretty sure I even sweat when I shower. There
are flies; in fact, there are so many flies that when you walk across
their path they sound like a swarm of bees rising up from the ground.
The mosquitoes are microscopic, stealth bombers that show no mercy.
Instead of lotion, I lather myself in bug spray. The dogs on the
property are like a pack of playful wolves and they love to nip at my
skirt (which I’m secretly hoping will get ruined so I won’t have to wear
them anymore…haha!). They long for affection, human interaction and a
bath (desperately). The pigs on the property usually go unnoticed until
the evening rainstorm passes through and causes the stench of wet pig to
rise and fill the air. It literally stops you in your tracks. And I
don’t even want to talk about the spiders that are the size of the palm
of my hand.
sit, stand, sleep and I’m pretty sure I even sweat when I shower. There
are flies; in fact, there are so many flies that when you walk across
their path they sound like a swarm of bees rising up from the ground.
The mosquitoes are microscopic, stealth bombers that show no mercy.
Instead of lotion, I lather myself in bug spray. The dogs on the
property are like a pack of playful wolves and they love to nip at my
skirt (which I’m secretly hoping will get ruined so I won’t have to wear
them anymore…haha!). They long for affection, human interaction and a
bath (desperately). The pigs on the property usually go unnoticed until
the evening rainstorm passes through and causes the stench of wet pig to
rise and fill the air. It literally stops you in your tracks. And I
don’t even want to talk about the spiders that are the size of the palm
of my hand.
Let me state the not-so-obvious: At 5:30am
when everyone wakes up, there is a stillness and peace. When I step
outside to spend time with the Lord, the air is the coolest it will be
all day, there is a gentle breeze and God whispers tenderly to me,
calling me His Beloved and speaking life into my day. When the children
laugh and smile it fills our hearts with joy. The hearts of the older
girls are becoming tender as they gain our trust. The walls they have
built in order to protect themselves are slowly being broken down. There
is a little girl named Yoldy who has braces on both legs and uses a
walker to get around. There is nothing at this place that accommodates a
disabled person. The ground is dirt and rocks, there aren’t any ramps
and the orphanage is built on a hillside, so there are very few places
that are flat. But you will never hear her complain. She smiles
incessantly and has the upper body strength of an Olympic swimmer. When
the children sing it sounds like a choir of angels.
when everyone wakes up, there is a stillness and peace. When I step
outside to spend time with the Lord, the air is the coolest it will be
all day, there is a gentle breeze and God whispers tenderly to me,
calling me His Beloved and speaking life into my day. When the children
laugh and smile it fills our hearts with joy. The hearts of the older
girls are becoming tender as they gain our trust. The walls they have
built in order to protect themselves are slowly being broken down. There
is a little girl named Yoldy who has braces on both legs and uses a
walker to get around. There is nothing at this place that accommodates a
disabled person. The ground is dirt and rocks, there aren’t any ramps
and the orphanage is built on a hillside, so there are very few places
that are flat. But you will never hear her complain. She smiles
incessantly and has the upper body strength of an Olympic swimmer. When
the children sing it sounds like a choir of angels.
It has become evident that the children at
Canaan have memorized a LOT of Scripture. They have morning and evening
devotionals and they know a lot of Western Christian worship songs.
However, there is an obvious disconnect between their heart and mind.
Their heads are full of knowledge of the Gospel, but many of them have
yet to experience a heart transformation. Everyone on my team has
recognized this and we are in agreement that the Lord will use us to
pour out His Holy Spirit upon these children. We are planning to have a
worship and prayer service with the older girls next week. Please keep
that in your prayers.
Canaan have memorized a LOT of Scripture. They have morning and evening
devotionals and they know a lot of Western Christian worship songs.
However, there is an obvious disconnect between their heart and mind.
Their heads are full of knowledge of the Gospel, but many of them have
yet to experience a heart transformation. Everyone on my team has
recognized this and we are in agreement that the Lord will use us to
pour out His Holy Spirit upon these children. We are planning to have a
worship and prayer service with the older girls next week. Please keep
that in your prayers.
It’s a privilege to be here. Every day has
its own set of challenges and rewards, joys and heartache. I live only
for today, for I do not know what tomorrow holds. I live with hands
opened wide and palms facing up, ready to freely give and receive.
its own set of challenges and rewards, joys and heartache. I live only
for today, for I do not know what tomorrow holds. I live with hands
opened wide and palms facing up, ready to freely give and receive.
