"Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that youmay be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement. Behold, I was brough forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gadness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of my salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit."
Psalm 51:1-12
Today my team went to a church 45 minutes outside of town to help clear their grounds of weeds and brush.
We arrived around 11 and got right to work. I volunteered to spread dirt for what will soon be either a parking lot or a playground for the church. Tools were limited so I ended up spreading the dirt with a shovel which was interesting to say the least. For being so excited about doing physical labor, it didn't take long for me to start complaining to myself about how hot it was and how sore my back was from bending over. One of my teammates decided to make the best of it by thanking God in Spanish for the silliest things like: hands, arms, shovels, dirt, etc. Kids were soon surrounding her, soaking up her joy. I felt compelled to join in but I just didn't want to. I was being stubborn and a brat as I sometimes can be [shocking, I know ;0)]. I was jealous that Dura was able to be so fun and joyful so I kept to myself even more. I was sick of myself, sick of my attitude but as much as I wanted to I couldn't will myself to change.
All that to say, God still choose to bless me, even when I was being a stubborn fool.
Meet Caterina.
For some reason Caterina chose to love on me that day. I didn't deserve it or ask for it but all day long she followed me around, handed me tools, drug me to the shade for rest, took water breaks with me, walked me to her house, gave me a bag of mangos, shared her coconut juice with me, held my hand, and gave me lots of hugs. They were such simple things to but in her reality it was all she had to give and she held nothing back.
Thank you Caterina :0) I will never forget your kindness!
