It's poignant how a week begins and how a week ends and the difference between the two. We arrived on Saturday excited, thrilled to be in another country experiencing a new culture, especially thrilled to be at The City of Children and a little bit anxious with so many questions -- will I be able to communicate with the children, will we get everything done, will the rest of the skit get written, will I make friends, will I truly make a difference, will I see Jesus or is that something people just say, what's the real value of a one-week mission trip?
But our God is faithful. He certainly was on this trip. A house was raised, a kitchen renovated, babies laughed, medianos were played with, teens embraced, scripture and personal challenges shared, cupcakes and treats crafted, puppets performed, food delivered, hot dogs served to the people of Maneadero, brothers and sisters in Christ young and old were prayed over and lifted, skits and songs and barn parties enjoyed and for one very special moment lifted an abused child's outlook on life, the staff was cared for and prayed for and encouraged over tacos and conversation and classes and coffee. And God smiled. How do I know? You think we did this ourselves? What was done defies human nature. It's all Him and if you'd seen it with your own eyes, well, you'd say the same.
So, yes, we saw Jesus. We only had to look over to the next tired and serving and yet smiling team member or the love of The City of Children staff whose love of these children stretches over far more than one week. And what's the value of short-term mission work? Wouldn't it just be better to send the resources we spent on this week? Ask Ann and David Horton, Justin Sims, Payton Perry, Martina Eddy and so many, many other members of the NBYG who've gone off to do longer term mission work or full-time church work. I know that I've left off the names of many but proud that they number beyond memory.
So. It's our last day here. Everything is done. It's time to celebrate and pray over and enjoy what has been done. Please. Come along and join the celebration with us. Because you were definitely a part of all that was done. Done in the name of and with the power of and to the glory of...Jesus.
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| If you've been following our devotionals (Bless you because we've been slow in getting the week posted) but here is your devotional for the 12th...or whatever day you happen to be reading this. C'mon and dig in to the day with us. |
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| Like father like daughter... |
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