I love children!!! Which doesn't come as a surprise, I know! I wouldn't say that I am a people person by any means but there is just something about the innocence of a child that melts my heart. After saying goodbye to the children in Honduras at the end of month 2 I ask God for no more orphan ministry the rest of the race. I told Him I couldn't handle saying goodbye and watching the kids cry as they experienced the pain abandonment….again.
Welcome to Thailand!!! I'm not aloud to say the name of the organization that we are working with in order to protect children. Everyday I am surrounded by children.
Innocent children.
Princesses and Princes of the King of Kings.
Children He delights in.
Children He created.
Children He loves.
Children who the world has rejected.
Children who's parents viewed them as drug money.
Children who were in danger of being sold into the sex industry.
Children who have contagious laughs.
Children who melt my heart when they greet me with HUGE hugs.
Children who tell me bye at the end of the day by saying, "I love you so so so much!! I pray for everyday. You are my friend."
From the moment I first walked through the door on the first day of ministry this little girl stole my heart, and I don't want it back! We talked and played UNO. She told me her name, her age, and about everything she is learning at school. (The truth is, because of the abuse she received as a young child she is not able to go to school.) She is the smartest little girl I have ever met. She can speak 5 languages, play multiple instruments, and knows a ton of songs! She is the most giving, compassionate, loving, trusting, selfless person I have ever met.
Every night over dinner we sing worship songs. Her favorite is, 10,000 Reasons by Matt Redman. She sings from her heart. She sings with conviction. She sings like no one else is around. She sings like she is looking straight into the face of God Himself. She has a heart of worship like no one I have ever met. My heart melts as I watch her face radiate with love for her Father.
My mind wanders off as I praise and thank God for rescuing her from what could have been. The chains of sin and addiction had this little girl's fate in the hands of strange men who would buy her for her body. God's grace and love had other plans for her!! My heart breaks for the children who have yet to be rescued from the brothels and bars. It hurts too much to think about at times. But the very thing I want to get out of my mind, is reality for so many children around the world.
Chances are this little girl doesn't know the reality of what could have been. She doesn't truly grasp all of her 10,000 Reasons to praise God, her Protector. I will stand beside her and count the ways she doesn't know. And as I count her reasons, I pray protection over the thousands of children world wide waiting to be rescued.
At the end of the night, as we get ready to leave the home she hugs me and doesn't let go.
I love you so so so much!! I pray for you everyday!! You are my friend.
God, thank you so much for this child. Thank you for preserving her innocence. Thank you for this ministry and all the work that they do to protect and rescue these children. Thank you for trusting me to love her this month. To love her with your love. I pray that she never knows what the world had planned for her, but always knows and lives in the freedom and love you offer her.
