I can't even begin to tell you how amazing it is to be back here! God has given us SUCH a love for these kids.
Oh the joy we find as we spend time with them! Whenever we leave them we find ourselves so filled by the Lord!
I've had a revelation while we've been here~ and as I explain this I in no way want it to come off as judgemental, because these "things" are not bad and its not wrong to have them either! But I think I'm beginning to learn what it looks like to live life to the fullest! Im learning that it's not about having the nice car, or the big house.. It's not about carring about what you look like, or earning alot of money.. Though I can say that I already knew that, often times I buy into the lie that those things will truly bring me joy.. ( All the "if only I had… 's") But here we are in the middle of non of that, and we couldn't be more filled! It's hot, dirty, poor and stinky.. But it's absoulely amazing at the same time! That is also how we know it's such a God thing.. Josh and I would have never chosen Cambodia.. It's so the opposite of what we would have picked.. But it's so perfect because it's part of God's plan for us! I suppose I now understand that verse that says, "You should LOSE your life, so you can truly FIND it.." We should throw out our "idea" of what life to the fullest looks like and surrender it to God and allow Him to show us.. Because when we let Him, He does… And it's so much better than we could've ever imagined!
THIS is life to the fullest!!!
Above is a picture of the kids sporting their new sandals and shirts thanks to a generous gift from Mom and Pa Rene. They were so excited and grateful to recieve these gifts.
While we have been at the Children's home we have talked with the Pastor and his family about what this might look like.. (We have called it an Orphanage in the past because most of the kids are true orphans, but we recently learned that they don't adopt these children out because they desire to raise them up to know and love Christ. They bring them in as "part of the family".) As we talked about their dreams and our vision we were reminded that this is going to be a big project. At times it can get overwhelming as we ourselves are learning, and as we think about how this project in and of itself is so much bigger than we are.. But then we remember that God is bigger than it all and that it's okay that we don't have all the answers. He will guide us and direct us as we walk in obedience and faith.
Please continue to pray with us as we seek the Lord on our next steps! We are so excited to come home and seek wise counsel and do some more research. We can't wait to share more details with you guys as they continue to be shaped and formed~ but until then.. Here are just some of their dreams..
~ Discipleship training for the kids and the community.
~ To buy a plot of land so they can grow their own vegetables and to give the kids a place to play.
~ To recieve training in some different skills so they can bring in more of an income.
~ A computer center with classes so they can reach out to the community.
~ To have more resources so they can care for even more orphaned or abandoned children.
So like I said.. These are just a few of the things we might be aiming for in the future..
Grace and Peace!
