One week ago today was probably one of the BEST days I’ve had so far on the race. My first month out here I was really good about journaling on a daily basis. By month 2 and 3 that was completely out the window. For this month in Kyrgzystan I’ve been really strict with myself and got back on track for journaling on the daily. I was still catching up on some of the previous day’s and went outside to my usual spot. I crave to be outside in nature-in Gods presence, it brings such solitude and it’s good to have that alone time. As I sat and started journaling I got a few sentences in when one of the little neighborhood girls came and sat with me. Her English was decent and we chatted a little bit about how I’m always sitting here journaling, and how it’s good…and at nights she writes in her secret book too. 🙂 she quickly ran away to play with some other kids, so I picked up my journal to start back at it-when I realized a little boy sitting near me, completely silent. He legit had no words. I smiled, I waved, and every time I made eye contact he hid his face as if it was a game. I played along for a few times and when I tried to ask his name he ignored me, so I quickly gave up and got back to journaling. He walked away a little bit but somewhat lingered and in the midst of that, I don’t know how it happened but some minutes later, I had around 12 kids all playing on the steps near where I was sitting. It became utter chaos. I was multi-tasking, writing and scaring/tickling a few kids when they got close enough. Somewhere between the screams from the 3 adorable little girls that were sneaking behind me hoping to get tickled and the smile it put on Dustin’s (the shy boy) face…I decided I can play now and journal later.
And so it happened. First I was tickling the girls, Sezam, Sedat, and another one I can’t remember how to pronounce. Then I was tossing Dustin pine cones and watching him dribble them through his legs, it was his little trick. Then I was playing with a tiny baby and attempting Russian with her mother. Then things got real when I caught Sezam after tickle-chasing her, I picked her up and spun her like crazy. In that it was a chain reaction, I had kids who ran away from me, (assuming because I looked foreign and obviously was a stranger to them) now running to me, with open arms begging for a turn to be spun around! This lasted for quite a while. I had little girls carrying their baby brother to me just so they could get a turn too. All the kids big and small were flocking to me, but waiting patiently for their turn to get held, spun around, and be able to walk away laughing at how dizzy they were. I remember feeling dizzy myself but as I asked the Lord to help me, he did, and I was able to spin one after the other without getting sick. 🙂
Next I decided to change it up and give sweet Sedat a piggy back ride, hoping and running like a horse and still twirling her around. And boom all the other kids cried for their turn. In the process of picking Sedat up I slightly ripped my already ripped jeans, hahaha. So then I decided to move our setup to the ledge near the stairs. As I picked up the next kid for their piggyback ride, the other kids saw and they legit formed a line and waited so so patiently for their turn to jump on my back and get twirled about again. Even sweet Dustin after seeing the others, decided he wanted a turn too. The Lord told me to make his turn extra special, so, willing to make myself sick,we skipped and spun around like crazay!!! Somewhere in the midst of the fun and the chaos I felt God was telling me “this is what happens when you let me interrupt your plans.” As I continued to play with the kids I pondered on that thought for a while and thanked him for this blessing despite the feeling of being sick at my stomach and my head hurting so bad from being dizzy. I felt those things but they didn’t even matter at this point. The kids were my focus and making their evening extra special was the key. As the children waited for turn after turn we started to wind down, some parents came and got their children and took them home and just a few were left..I was a little sad at the thought that, this precious moment had came and gone already. But it had kind of just begun.
Akbar, Dustin, and Sezam were left and we just sat and used translator for a while, catching our breath. But soon we were straight to it, Akbar got his futbol and we all started kicking the ball around having a fun time. I somehow always play futbol with my hands (volleyball player for 6+ years haha) and the kids decided it was time for volleyball. Eventually it was just me and Akbar. We probably spent almost an hour between playing both, before 3 grown men probably in their 20’s or 30’s pull up with their cool shades on and music playing. They parked their car and just watched Akbar and I having a volley. Eventually one got out of the car and just stared at us..haha so I felt it was only right to ask him if he wanted to play. Instantly in his response “da!! I mean yes I want to play” the other two got out of the car and we had a little volley circle. It was so fun and I definitely ripped my pants even more. Haha Somewhere in the midst of that it turned into other games like a monkey in the middle dodgeball which I now know is called potato. We stayed out there for another hour or so before I had to go in for a dinner with some local volunteers.
I went inside and wanted to be present but couldn’t help to think about what just happened. I was amazed at the last 3 hours God had blessed me with. When I thought it was over and maybe I could go back to journaling, it wasn’t. He kept providing more and more people, to meet with and show them love.
In 1 Corinthians 10:19-21 Paul encourages us by how he lived and shared the gospel with others regardless the circumstances or that persons religion. My favorite part is verse 22: “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some.”
“I try to find common ground with everyone”. That is key. That is powerful. That is necessary. So so necessary. I believe as Christians we are called to LOVE, as God loves. He loves us and sees us as the people he created us to be, no who we currently are. Isn’t that amazing?!
Last Tuesday I met with some incredible people. Despite the language barrier or my knowledge of our belief differences, I met with them, and found some common ground with them. In that, no, I didn’t share the gospel with them, but I loved them as the Lord calls me to. He interrupted my plans and oh my goodness my words in this blog can’t even describe to you the blessing it was to be with these precious children of God. I don’t know these children’s life situations, if they live with their mom and dad-or just one parent, or if their being raised by an aunt or uncle or grandparents. I don’t know if their treated well, shown the love they deserve or if they’re given the attention they need. I legit know none of these things. But God does, and he brought them to me. He said: “hey you have a lot of plans Lydia, but my purpose is going to prevail today.”
(Proverbs 19:21)
And it did. God created that moment and probably the first time in a really long time I was in tune with the spirit and available to what he had for me. Though I was tired, head pounding and sick to my stomach…I was so blessed and touched by those 3 hours I was able to love on God’s loved ones. I don’t know about you but I think that’s amazing. I pray that these kids and adults will look back on this day and realize I was so present because I had the love of Jesus pouring out of me.
Now instead of praying fervently, asking God “what do you want me to do today” and many times not getting a response..I’m asking the Lord on a daily basis to interrupt my plans..because I’m slowly realizing how much better his plans are than all of mine put together. I encourage you to do the same, he will blow your mind far past your expectations or desires. 🙂
If you remember keep these kids and adults in your prayers! I spelled them just how they sounded 😉
Kids
Ima
Nina
Dustin
Akbar
Sezam
Sadet
Donnie
Biyastan
Venessa
Mother of baby
Goonorah
Men
Diyerrr
Eldiarrrr
Norbek
