We’re here! We’re sitting in the
“under construction zone” of New Faith Children’s Home. This blog
may be a bit scattered, as children are running about and completely
intrigued by our computers. These children are beautiful – some of
them I know by name – Angel, Rudalyn, Jon. The other day I spent
some time here at the children’s home. Energy just flows from this
place. There are about 40 children living here – some are orphans
and others have been given to the home by their parents. Their parents
know they cannot take care of them so they simply sign over their parental
rights of their children to the home.
I was holding a 2-month-old little girl
named Heartland. She was precious. As I was holding her outside I was
able to look inside and see the mother signing over all her parental
rights. I’m not a parent, but I could never imagine signing over my
child to someone else. To be sitting in a room signing a paper and looking
out to find strangers holding my baby girl.
In the same way I feel like that parent.
I am learning that “my rights” aren’t necessarily “my rights.”
For this year I have surrendered my rights to comfort, to being stagnant,
to personal space, to freedom. I’ve given up a lot of rights to be
here right now; I’m also learning that I’m not just giving up my
rights for this year, but for the rest of my life. I no longer have
the choice to serve or obey the Lord – it is the desire of my heart.
I want the Lord to create in me a pure and holy passion. There is a
lot of work to be done this year in my heart, but I’m fully choosing
into this.
On a more logistical note – my team
leaves late tomorrow night/early Saturday morning for the island of
Mindanao. We will be there until the 25th. Please keep us
in your prayers as we travel.
