It’s a hard thing to admit, but I was completely
exhausted at the end of last month. Don’t get me wrong, our ministry in India was
amazing. I was blessed in so many ways by our contact and I saw the Spirit of
God alive and at work everyday. The one thing I failed to do last month was
recharge. I was always running on fumes and I was wearing down fast. Heading
into Nepal
I was aware how crucial this month would be for me personally…and so was God.
I’m not sure why it still surprises me to see God come through when I need Him
most. It’s like He actually IS concerned for my well-being and WANTS to see me
at peace.
Knowing
where I was at spiritually, physically, and emotionally coming into this month,
God placed my team in the most fitting ministry here in Nepal. This
month we are serving at Asha Nepal,
a home for women and children rescued from the brothels and streets of India. Each day
we have the privilege of loving on these kids and speaking life into the women.
Even though the women know little English, we can speak volumes through our
smiles and our actions. Our main responsibility this month is to simply share
God’s love with those around us and to make these beautiful people aware of who
they are, and can be, in Christ.
Now,
it might seem a bit odd for me to describe a place that takes care of former
sex slaves and abused children as the perfect ministry during my state of
exhaustion, I mean, It even sounds a little off to me right now, but let me try
and make sense of it for the both of us.
From
day one I have only felt a spirit of love and hope within this place. (FYI,
“Asha” means hope). It seems as if these kids who have gone through
hell on earth have a better understanding of love than I do. As far as I’m concerned,
they do. I know these children and women are especially close to God’s heart.
He came to this earth for the sick and the marginalized, the orphans and the
widows. I truly believe that each person here at Asha has a closeness with the
Father that I will never experience here on earth. It’s a different level of
intimacy that is God saves for those trampled on by mankind.
Realizing
where these people have come from and the ways they are finding restoration is
what makes this ministry light. Even after hearing story after story of these
women and children being taken advantage of, you would hardly believe any of it
was true by the joy in their smiles. I have found new energy and new strength
in this place because God is working out his redemptive plan in each life here
and I am constantly reminded of my own beautiful rescue. God is teaching me how
to love by being loved. I asked for my heart to be broken for these children
and that’s exactly what’s happening.
