Hello Everyone!
The past couple of weeks have been so FULL! So I’ll give you a quick update on what I’m learning!
Lately, I’ve been drawing as a form of worship. I’ve always loved doodling, but I think I have shied away from it due to my perfectionism. And sharing artwork is an extremely vulnerable thing because it’s so easily criticized and judged. But, the Lord asked me to draw the dreams, visions, and people that He has placed on my heart, so I’ve been sketching and exploring this new thing with Him. And I caught myself sketching images of the children that have touched my heart… and so I asked the Lord what He was trying to teach me through this. And as I thought about my time in both Thailand and Cambodia, I realized that the majority of our ministry has been working with children… the orphans in Cambodia, the refugee children in the village, the neighborhood kids that we see throughout the week, the kids at school that we teach English to, and etc. Obviously, the Lord has been trying to teach me through His children. So I spent time in the word and researching what “child-like faith” meant. This phrase often is thrown around in the Christian world, but do we actually know what it means to have childlike faith??
We see in Matthew 18:1-4, Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven.” In this, the Lord isn’t saying to act childish (although I would say my mental age and humor is that of an 8-year-old) … but He is ordering us to receive the Kingdom of God like a child.
And here are a few things that I’ve learned through the eyes of the kids that have impacted me:
While teaching English in many different settings, I have noticed one common thing: there is an eagerness to learn. The kids have curious questions and simply want to grow in knowledge. (the first questions is always “teacher kat, teacher kat! Boyfriend?” lol) Anyways, what if we had faith like this? A faith that screams, “teach me!” A soul that is constantly hungry to learn more about Jesus?
And as children ask questions, they focus solely on the person they’re asking, expecting and trusting that an answer will come. What if we were so fixed on God that the opinions of others and the world didn’t matter? What if we asked God questions with the expectation that His answer will be the right one?
When it comes to obedience, children instinctively know that their knowledge is limited. They believe that their parents know everything. They don’t always understand why parents say “no” to certain things, and the reason is typically beyond their maturity… But despite the complaints and moaning, the children trust, knowing that their parents love them. When it comes to God, we understand even less about His reasons, but because of His character and His promises, we can fully trust Him.
Lastly, I’ve learned so much from a sweet little girl named Bow. Her family lives in a very poor community near our base. We get to visit these kids and play/love on them throughout the week. From the moment I met Bow, she stuck out to me, quickly capturing my heart with her bright smile! And when we went to visit her home, my heart broke as I saw the trash and dirt surrounding the place. The families practically live in sheds. Yet, despite the circumstances and lack of material things, Bow is one of the most joyful and kind-hearted children I have ever met. One afternoon her mom brought her a sliced rose apple for dinner and she insisted on sharing it with me, literally shoving it in my face. This 5-year-old girl has close to nothing, but she didn’t even hesitate to share and give what little she had. That is child-like faith. To share and love without hesitation. To give everything to the Lord even when it feels as if we have close to nothing.
I desire to have a faith like this, trusting and loving despite any fear or uncertainty of the future. And I’m so thankful for this season of life that I get to learn from His children, gaining new perspectives and growing with the Father.
Lastly, I ask for prayers for me and my team. We have been working in a school and teaching all ages. We typically have about 50-200 students a day. With a team of 6 of us, it can get pretty exhausting… so prayers for supernatural energy and strength from the Lord! Also, we have less than 3 weeks left, so I ask for prayers as we process and prepare for our transition back home! Thank you again for following along and reading about my adventure!
Love to all,
Kat.
Also here are a few of the drawings I’ve done… sharing this is extremely hard for me but here it goes… gotta love vulnerability!
