This month has been an array of ministry, from remodeling a coffee shop to draw new customers in,
to working hard pulling up weeds in a rice field,to teaching english and inductive bible study to Burmese refugees in a small village.We’ve done a lot. We’ve learned even more. But nothing has touched my heart more then spending time at the children’s home loving on the children that live there.
I have the pleasure of leading a team of wonderfully gifted woman. I mean seriously…these women are amazingly talented, and more then that bring all of their gifts to the table and a beautiful offering to our Lord. So at the children’s home we were able to put those gifts on full display. Jordan led sessions on sewing, and she used all her fashion designer experience to teach the kids and woman the trade of sewing. We had sessions on hair cutting and styling, because we have Edie, a fabulous hair stylist who took her time to show the girls how to cut and style with care. We have Whitney, who literally can teach ANYTHING and make it interesting, but did a great job teaching English in a way that was fun and inviting. We have Leanna who stepped in and saw that the young girls were well taken care of and decided to play soccer with the boys and love on them with everything in her! We have Steff, that used her guitar and glorious voice to lead worship, teach English, and all around keep us all entertained and joyful.
And the children couldn’t get enough…it was such an amazing time together! Getting to know all of their little (and big) personalities was so much fun. And they were so happy we were there, they went around picking flowers for us the day before we left. One little girl drew us each pictures of us and her holding hands saying “I love you” in Thai. Be still my heart. They made it so hard to leave.
One thing I walked away with from our time at the children’s home was that God places giftings in us, and also develops giftings into us (sometimes it may not be a natural gifting, but we can try, learn, and grow enough in that area to share it with someone else). But God wraps us (like a present) all so differently, our giftings look different and thats so ok. It’s more then ok, it’s beautiful.
So, God gives us gifts, but what we do with those giftings is completely up to us…weither its giving it away or holding onto it. Give your gifts away today to those around you. To your family, to your co-workers, to your churches, and ultimately to The Lord. Let God use what you love to do to bless someone else. I’m so glad my Jesus Jewels did…and so are the kids at the children’s home.
