Spare Change

I know that I have began to sound like a broken record, but this week has been unexplainable.  Just when I think I have experienced all that I can handle, God puts me in a new situation.  He continues to push my mental envelope and the emotions that I have felt.  I have struggled with the level of injustice, my heart has broke with the amount of poverty, and I have broken down at the sight of the homeless.  I have felt anger, frustration, helplessness, and sadness.  But, in every event and circumstance I have seen the Holy Spirt at work through people and I have seen God’s grace, mercy, and faithfulness in action.  I have run the gamit of emotions, but I sit here on our final night of ministry and feel blessed to have been a witness to God’s work.  I can’t even begin to process everything that has happen, nor do I expect to do so quickly.  God has taught me little lessons and life changing lessons, which I hope to unpack over the coming weeks. 

Today, we spent the day at Neuva Esperanza and Los Bordos.  It was a difficult day, but a good day.  Hard in the sense of some of the things we had to see, but good in the sense that we were able to share God’s love and see Him work through our group.  Nueva Esperanza was the children’s orphanage that we visited on Tuesday, but today we spent time with both the babies and elementary aged children.  Entering the room which housed the 20-25 babies and toddlers was heartbreaking.  Each child longed to be held, loved on, and showered with attention.  Once in your arms, any attempt to sit them down or move to another child was meet with cries.  Many of the children needed diaper changes, medicine, or even food.  It was a tremendously difficult thing for me as a father, knowing that many of these children don’t get the attention and love they deserve.

At the same time, this morning was difficult for me because I have dear friends in my life who are trying to adopt.  One such friend is on the trip with us and Tara and I have been in prayer for him and his wife throughtout the process.  Today as I left the room I couldn’t do anything but go into prayer for my friend.  I know that today was difficult for him, but I also know this was part of God’s plan for his life.  I know he is going to be a great father and today was one step in God’s plan to prepare him for that future!

After grabbing a bite of lunch, my first and only American meal (Domino’s) on the trip, we headed back to Los Bordos.  Los Bordos is the poorest area we visited and today we distributed 400 pounds of beans and rice.  We also set up a medical station for Roxanne and Sandi to minister to the sick.  It was tough to see so many families in need, but our prayer is that the food will help nourish them and the medical attention will replenish their health.

Below is a picture of Josh Sparks, who was handling the food distribution:

Carl and Elise prayed blessing over many of the people who recieved the food:

Roxanne and Sandi provided medical instruction to a mother who appeared to have either denga fever or possible malaria.  She was so weak that she need to be carried to her home by Drew.  It was a home that would flood with every heavy rain.  Flood with what they call “black” water, which carried parasites and many other bacteria.

As I followed Drew deep into the village of homes, during literally the final 10 minutes of my ministry week, I couldn’t help but reflect on why God had me in this position.  God has been working on the lives of Tara and I pretty hard for the past several months.  He is still working on us and molding us into the couple He desires.  This week he continued to press upon me one lesson….

Just follow me.   Just as he asked Simon Peter and Andrew. Follow me into Los Bordos.  Follow me into Nueva Esperanza.  Follow me into Las Casitas.  Follow me into 1207 Pradero Drive.  Into Kentucky Retirement Systems.  Just follow me wherever I lead you.  It is a lesson that I have seen in action by all of our group.  From Spanish Beef learning worship songs in another language, to the sign art team teaching each other songs, to 20 people sharing their stories!  To Tim Reynolds going all barber shop on us, to Josh Doolin praying over a young child, to Drew Causey dedicating a 13 day old baby to the Lord.  It has been a amazing week.

Tommorrow, we take a day of rest (at the BEACH!).  We have worked hard for 6 days, but now we take a day of rest.  The Sabbath.   Good night.  God Bless.