Live like you’re Loved:
You Matter
Fundraising
Now has reached $16,807, I am now 93.28% funded. Through sacrificial giving like yours, God has brought in $4746!!! Thank you for your steadfast support through prayer and donations. Please help me reach remaining amount of $1019 by March 31st. Here is a breakdown of how you could help:
**10 Donations of $102
**20 Donations of $51
**40 Donations of $25
Please help me to continue ministry with World Race by donating. Each step of the way God is confirming that this is where he wants me to be. Thank you for standing with me in faith through you donation.
Lesson: You are loved. You matter!
After a long travel day, we got to our ministry site called St. Joseph’s Home. From the time we set foot on the property and begin to walk around it became clear how special the home could be. Once we met the students, we knew it would be hard to leave. The children had defined schedule regarding meals, chores, regular bathing and prayer time. Our team wanted to be intentional and really see the unique opportunities before us and surely those sweet moments kept happening. Especially in areas we just didn’t expect.
These were children ages 5-19 years of age. I found myself being stretched in new ways as God put specific children on my heart during our stay. This time he put two of the oldest boys on my heart. I noticed that there were the eldest boys and that all the kids respected and liked them. I told them, “I see leaders in you guys. I admire the way you love and care for the other kids. Keep it up!” The boys were caught by surprise. The oldest responded warmly and wished me good night, while the other stayed silent and continued doing his homework. I wasn’t sure exactly how it land with them but I felt like God prompted me to encourage them in that way. It reminded me of the times people have seen gifts on and within me then God used them to shed light on it whether I was in a place to fully receive it or not; I heard them.
Sometime later I began to notice a pattern of behavior in the second oldest boy. He started ignoring the other children, walking around annoyed and even avoiding eye contact or checking out during our nightly prayer time. All these things were opposite of what God showed me in him but still unsure how to reach him I just prayed and waited for the right time. God used an ordinary moment to say something so special so important. YOU MATTER, tell him that he matters! All the kids one by one would finish a meal and wash their dish at the sink. I finally finished my meal and joined them. As we waited he came and cut the entire line to wash his plate first and I felt a little nudge…
(We began washing our plates side by side)
Me: So you just cut in front of everyone in line.
Teen boy: Yea, its what I do.
Me: Hummm, okay. (Silently, I returned to washing my dish.)
Me: I need to talk with you when you are finished.
Teen boy: Okay Sister.
I got to sit with him and remind him of the leadership qualities I already saw. More importantly, I told him that he matters and the other children want to spend time with him. They look up to him, so not to forget to treat them well. From that moment on my whole team saw such a change in him that has God’s signature all over it. It was like a whole new student. But I also realize that’s what God’s love does for us all. He shows us that we are seen, matter, and are loved which gives us the freedom to live in the light of those truths.
