Over 2 years ago before we even began this journey, we had a few friends who were opposed to us coming here. I understand that they wanted to make sure this decision was from God so they wanted to really make us think. A few statements that stands out to me the most were about my children. "How can you do this to your children? What about their education? What about saving for their college? How can you take them away from their friends at school and in their neighborhood?" To be honest, questions like that were painful and even kept me up at night with worry.
But I had to lay it down at God's feet. He loves my 3 kids more than I ever could and let me tell you I already love them a lot so I cannot even pretend to imagine how much He loves them. When we decided to take on these extra 12 children at Beautiful Gate, we were asked by the staff to help out at dinner during the week when the house mothers are alone during shift change. I told my kids about this and they were so supportive. They have even decided to pitch in and today, Mercy was even bragging that she fed more kids than I did :)
Tonight as Elijah was going to bed, he took over 5 minutes to really lay out all that was on his heart before the Lord and I was just speechless. He prayed earnestly for the new children to fit in and for older children in the homes to love and respect the little children. He prayed for lost people all over the world to hear the word and just believe it and fall in love with the Lord.
Faith has adopted a house mother and makes a point to spend time with her most days. This house mother is not feeling well and Faith laid that request before the Lord and her love and compassion was shining through. This house mother has told me many times how blessed she is to have Faith for her friend. It makes me know that if nothing else, we came here for that friendship to develop. Her testimony is one of great pain and suffering and it is so special to see the love between my daughter and her. God has restored some of her joy through Faith.
Mercy has made a new friend. The girl that I blogged about Monday had become Mercy's new friend. Mercy has been going to playgroup looking for her and holds her hand and hugs her. It is unbelievable how much Mercy's loves her already (she even asked if we can adopt her as a new sister). I had to tell Mercy about the girl's sickness (HIV) to remind her about being safe if either of them get hurt and Mercy was so perceptive and told me that she would not tell anyone else about the girl's sickness because she does not want anyone to treat her differently. It is beautiful the pure, innocent love between a 5 and 6 year old who are not of the same culture, race or even language.
My children have made huge sacrifices in their lives to be here and I have no idea what kind of job Bryan or I will have when God calls us back to Michigan, but I will not regret the time we have been here and I will not regret homeschooling. I do not know how my kids will pay for college, but God knows what they need and He will make a way when it is needed. I praise God for allowing my kids this opportunity to grow in Him, to learn first hand what it means to be a blessing to "the least of these," to learn compassion, to live the fact that love can cross all barriers of race, culture and language and to just be kids too! Please pray that God will cover them with His armor because any parent knows that when they praise their kids, the next few days will be filled with attacks from the enemy! To God be the glory because I never could have touched their hearts like He has.
Thanks for sharing! They are amazing kids and God is equipping them and has equipped them for this time and place. :) The picture of Faith and her friend brought tears to my eyes. There is nothing like the support of a good friend and that shows!!! As far as college and other "normal" things....what they are learning now cannot be matched and what they are learning is to be heaven minded not earthly minded....so what God calls us all to! :)
ReplyDeleteKaren B