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Okay lets be real sometimes this is how I feel about scrubbing poop from
squatty potties and delicing children in 110 degree weather….

This month God has been teaching me some pretty sweet things amidst the poop and the lice. I’m learning how to actually thank Him for the opportunities I have to serve in this way. Yesterday I was reading a devo from “Jesus Calling” and it said:

“You are learning to appreciate tough times, because they amplify your awareness of My Presence. Tasks that you used to DREAD are becoming rich opportunities to enjoy My closeness. When you feel tired, you remember that I AM your strength; you take PLEASURE in leaning on me….As you bask in the BLESSING of my nearness, My life can flow through you to others. THIS IS ABUNDANT LIFE”

John 10:10
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

To be honest I was very nervous about this month’s ministry as soon as we found out what it would be. In the past I have substituted in special needs classrooms and it was incredibly exhausting. Many amazing people have a true passion for this specific ministry but I’ll be real…I was TERRIFIED. The first time we visited the home I was completely overwhelmed by all 80+ children who instantly surrounded us. My heart was broken by the stories I heard describing how many of them had been abandoned and left for dead but were found by ICM and brought to this home. I returned home broken, exhausted, and not knowing the purpose of me being in this ministry.

Something our teams decided to do this month is start every morning with 1 hour of corporate worship and prayer. Wow its been so incredibly refreshing, and so helpful in getting my attitude and priorities in the right place before going out to ministry! The first morning we met God gave me the devotion quoted above which really spoke to my heart about changing my attitude from “Ok I HAVE to scrub squatty potties today, so lets get this over with Lord” to “Thank you Lord that I GET to scrub toilets for you today, this is a responsibility that you have given me and it’s important in your kingdom”. It’s not always easy to keep this attitude but morning worship and accountability is definitely helping in HUGE ways.

After that first day at the home I spent some time in prayer specifically asking the Lord to change my heart about our ministry….Guess what….the very next day He did just that. He laid it on my heart and my teammate Leslie’s heart to ask who the children were who received the least amount of attention throughout the day. There are several kids who due to their needs that are immobile and lay back in the corner quietly by themselves. Leslie and I were instantly drawn to these precious boys and spent most of the morning loving on them by making them smile with goofy songs and lots of tickles.


(Me and Mo)

One boy in particular completely captured my heart, (the orphanage asked that we protect the children’s identities online so we will call him Mo). Mo is blind and most of the day he just lays quietly in the corner on a bed all by himself. In order to reach Mo I had to take off my shoes, hike up my skirt, and climb on the bed over other children back to “his corner”.

The first time I sat with him I tried to hold his hand while singing to him but every time he would pull away but still lay listening quietly. After being there for some time I decided to read a book and continue sitting with him so I laid my hand on his leg to let him know I was still there. About 5 minutes into my book I feel Mo place his hand directly on top of mine and hold my hand tightly. As I’m writing this I’m practically in tears because it was at this moment that God revealed why He had me here in this country, in this ministry, at this time, it was to love on Mo and on the other little boys in this room. It was to be His Hands and to literally hold His children. In just one small moment, one small gesture completely changed my heart, I felt more love for this child than I had ever felt toward anyone I’d known less than 3 days before! I feel overwhelmingly blessed to physically be able to show love to these kids who so desperately need it.

Yesterday Leslie and I asked which kids hardly ever leave their room and be outside. We were pointed to four young boys (Mo was one of the 4). We found 2 wheelchairs in a back room and took turns rolling our new friends around the local village. I wish I could’ve captured on video the absolute joy that these adorable boys expressed when they felt the breeze in their hair and sun on their faces because it was so full of joy and thankfulness. You could physically see the delight etched on their faces as we spent time with them and it made everything worth it….all the poop…all the lice…it was all worth it for that one moment.

 I think I
always knew He would give me strength when I was weak and joy when I was
tired, but this year The Race has actually tested those beliefs
out…time and time again I’ve seen Him answer when I call, revive and refuel me when I’m empty, and give me more Joy and Love to out pour than I could ever imagine.