This month I get to put a lot of my passions to work. We are staying at an orphanage called Great Mercy. My contact, Judith and her husband Evans, have taken abandoned children into their own hands. Some have families but aren’t treated properly. Great Mercy provides education, housing, and a church family. Their motto is, “competing to excel”. Judith and the staff do a fantastic job of getting the children ready for their futures. It is faith based, so sometimes they aren’t even sure when and how they will get enough food, but they trust that God will give them everything they need. He hasn’t failed yet. I get to put my social work background to practice, my nurturing side gets to come out, and I get to see Jesus at work every day. We are living with rats that sound like they are playing hockey, but to be honest, that’s the only thing I don’t like about this month. I’ll take it.
My day starts off at 7:30 AM. I get ready, eat breakfast, and talk about some plans here and there. Then from 8:00-8:30 I talk to the teachers and children. Then from about 9:00-1:00 I have counseling sessions with some of the children. We get the afternoons off to rest and take care of anything else we need to do. Later around 4:00 we then go on a 3 mile run with some of the children. At 6:00 we have prayer and worship. After that we have some spare time to play and hang out. Usually around 8:00 is dinner. After our tummies are full, the evening is open for more children or team time.
Some of the children are here at school because the teachers are on strike because of pay, so they will be gone shortly. Then others are here because of their past. I have heard some heartbreaking stories. Through the heartache, these children have found that God is on their side. Their testimony of faith is so admirable and humbling. They help me grow each day. They help me see the goodness of God and how He saves us. He hears our cry for help. His mercy is overwhelming. He is a good God.
Psalm 66:19-20
But truly God has listened, he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be to God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!
This is my office for the month. I love it!
This is Abby. She is 4 years old. Her mom passed away from a sickness and the dad left. She stole my heart the first night we arrived. During prayer time, I rubbed her back and she fell asleep standing. I then picked her up and held her, prayed over her, and just fell in love.
Meet Brian. He is 10 years old. I'm not sure what his story is yet, but I do know he is a great kid. The first day of work he came in my office crying because he broke something. We fixed the problem and we've been buddies ever since.
This lovely girl is Rose. She is 16 years old with a sweet soul. Her parents were poisoned to death when she was 4 years old. She said when that happened, she cried out to God for help. Her aunt rescued her and that is who she lives with now. God is healing her heart and continues to answer her prayers. She attends Great Mercy for her education and to grow in her faith.
These are just a few of the many children that have impacted my life. It's only been the first week! I love it here, God was faithful to my heart. I have been praying for a ministry like this since before this year started. It is a hard, draining, tear jerking job, but I believe God has given me a lot of love to share. I pray I am a blessing to them, I pray I give them a glimpse of hope. There is so much need here, so all I can do for the remainder of the time is to let Jesus completely take over and be obedient to what He says.
Thank you for all of your prayers and support. You are reaching the nations in many ways. Thank you for allowing God to use me as a vessel for the Kingdom! You are treasured deeply in my heart.
(I have gotten permission from Judith to share their stories and pictures. She wants her children covered in prayer. My teammate Jah-Jah took these amazing pictures, be ready for more!)
