Two more weeks done!

Ok so I haven't blogged for two weeks now... so here goes!

Since I last typed up my experiences we went back to camp with a group from North Carolina. 2 other interns and myself rode on the bus to the orphanage a few hours away to pick up the kids and take them to the camp. Every orphanage we have worked with so far had a lot of structure so that when the kids got to camp they listened relatively well. The kids from this orphanage however did not have the same kind of structure that I was used to, which took a bit to get used to. These kids were challenging, but I loved them. Some gave me bracelets, others taught me how to make them, and I had fun just playing with them. I could really see God working in some of the kids by the end of the week.

The second week we went to work with a woman named Gracie and stay at her house. Gracie's ministry is doing a lot for all of the bad things that go on in her community. Gracie and her husband are really a light to the darkness around, and I really respect what they are doing. I don't want to be too specific because some of the stuff she deals with is a bit graphic. While we were there we did a Bible study with the school across the street, worked with boys that are at a facility because they have broken the law, and  had another Bible study with another orphanage. It was interesting to see the differences in the children, and how their up-bringing directly effected the way they act. I know that sounds obvious but these three different groups of people were really different. At the school the kids would get in fist fights during recess over a ball, and there were a few bullies that pushed kids around. Not all of the kids were that way   but we did see a lot of that behavior. At the rehabilitation center the boys there were from gangs and were there because of various crimes they committed before they were 18. I got to led a Bible lesson with them one day, and then we played soccer with them afterwards. All of the people there seemed intimidating, but they were really nice guys. They can get intense in soccer, but they were very nice to our group. The orphanage kids were really clingy right when we got there. They craved attention from us, and they would often get upset if we played with anyone else besides them. The orphans were great though. Going to see them was my favorite part of the day. I really liked to play with one six year old boy named Jonathan Isaac. As soon as I got there he would seek me out and do everything with me. It was so hard leaving him on the last day. He was so sad when he knew we were leaving. It was hard for our whole team to leave the kids. I think I have said this before, but everytime I miss the kids I meet and minister to, it gives me the chance not only to pray for them, but also to trust that God is looking out for them. I thought a lot when we were leaving, and I began to wonder how much joy there is for those orphans who are adopted by loving families. To finally have someone there that actively shows them love everyday must be an amazing experience for them. I hope one day that I will be able to adopt a child into my family.

What did God teach me these past two weeks?...well a ton. I have been reading Romans 8 a lot, which talks about the Holy Spirit inside us that proves that we are heirs to God's glory. Every time I read Romans 8 verse 15 it amazes me. God frees us from being slaves to sin by adopting us into His family allowing us to call Him Abba Father. I don't understand the depths of God's love, but I am thankful and I praise Him for that love. Another thing that God showed me is that there is a lot of evil going on in the world. He showed me that and it made me furious for some reason. I can't comprehend easily how people can hurt and wrong each other so much. I know that God's light will always beat the darkness. I prayed that God would use me to fight the evils in the world. I do not want to sit still and be useless. I want to show the people that murder and rape that God wants to save them from the despair of their sin. Even those people are not exempt from God's love or Jesus' sacrifice. God's love and mercy is so powerful that He can cleanse the sin stain from anyone no matter what as long as they believe...That whole concept excites me and motivates me. The last big thing that God has taught me these past two weeks is about loving others. I began to think about my love toward others I realize how self centered I am. I often think about myself before others. I'm learning to put myself last, and when I look at people, whether they be fellow Christians or unsaved people, I actively think about how I can show Christ's love to them.

Thats about it. Twenty more days in Honduras for me. I am excited to see what else God will do while I am here. Continue to pray for us here!