God gave me plenty of time to spend with Him today. It really refreshed me and reminded me that He knows best and He has a reason for me to be here. I was reading one of my old prayer journals from May and I realized that I had no clue what was coming when I was praying about going to Bangladesh. One of my fellow Student Missionary friends said it best when she was describing how her trip was going so far, “God has already shattered every expectation that I had about how this year would go.... He's definitely been teaching me a thing or two about faith, gratitude, and humility.” This year may not be going the way that I thought it would go but it is definitely going the way that God wants it to go. I feel as if He is cleansing me of all the things that are not of Him so that I can become more humble, grateful, and faithful.
Deuteronomy 30:6 “The Lord your God will clean your heart… so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live.” My Lord knows best!
After God renewed my spirit I was ready to hang out with the kids again. I bounced out of the room and began hanging out with a group of the older kids. One of the kids asked me what my mother’s name was and so I decided that it would be best if I showed them a picture so they could see her. So I ran up stairs to my room and grabbed all the pictures that I had of my family. I told them all to “bacho” (sit) and I started telling them about each one of my family members. When they saw my mom and little sister Lila they kept saying “Shundar,” which means beautiful/attractive. One of the little girls Joni kept on kissing the pictures of Lila, my mom, and me. They thought it was funny how my Dad and brothers all had the same chin as me; the kids really love my dimples. When I looked up I realized that a crowd had grown and there were even some caregivers in the group who had the biggest smiles. It really helped my homesickness to tell the kids about my family back at home.
I was running around with the kids all evening so by the time the sunset I was exhausted and just wanted to sit. Luke came and faithfully held my hand even thought I was being a boring playmate. I can honestly say that I don’t have a favorite kid here because I love them all but I have a special place in my heart for Luke. His skin is so dark and beautiful and he has the cutest little face with big eyes and loooong eyelashes. Every night he gives me a kiss on both of my cheeks and tells me goodnight. Oh my word, that boy has stolen my heart hahaha. I suppose I’m falling in love with all the kids and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
(Please continue to leave comments on my posts. You have no clue how happy it makes me to have so much encouragement)
Deuteronomy 30:6 “The Lord your God will clean your heart… so that you will love Him with all your heart and soul and so you may live.” My Lord knows best!
After God renewed my spirit I was ready to hang out with the kids again. I bounced out of the room and began hanging out with a group of the older kids. One of the kids asked me what my mother’s name was and so I decided that it would be best if I showed them a picture so they could see her. So I ran up stairs to my room and grabbed all the pictures that I had of my family. I told them all to “bacho” (sit) and I started telling them about each one of my family members. When they saw my mom and little sister Lila they kept saying “Shundar,” which means beautiful/attractive. One of the little girls Joni kept on kissing the pictures of Lila, my mom, and me. They thought it was funny how my Dad and brothers all had the same chin as me; the kids really love my dimples. When I looked up I realized that a crowd had grown and there were even some caregivers in the group who had the biggest smiles. It really helped my homesickness to tell the kids about my family back at home.
I was running around with the kids all evening so by the time the sunset I was exhausted and just wanted to sit. Luke came and faithfully held my hand even thought I was being a boring playmate. I can honestly say that I don’t have a favorite kid here because I love them all but I have a special place in my heart for Luke. His skin is so dark and beautiful and he has the cutest little face with big eyes and loooong eyelashes. Every night he gives me a kiss on both of my cheeks and tells me goodnight. Oh my word, that boy has stolen my heart hahaha. I suppose I’m falling in love with all the kids and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
(Please continue to leave comments on my posts. You have no clue how happy it makes me to have so much encouragement)
hehehe I'm posting a comment! :) I'm glad that your homesickness is being helped! I'm sure it isn't all gone, but God is giving you opportunities to be able to dissolve it!
ReplyDeleteI hear your feelings. This week it has been a terrible week for me over all and today, as I am laying on my bed I can't help to think and wish to be in Chile right now, where the weather is warm, my family are close and eating food that I love. But the truth is that God is in control of everything and He is molding our character to his image, and through this experience we (meaning you, me, and really everyone) are learning to keep our eyes in Jesus and in His mission for us whether is in Bangladesh or here in US for me. Being homesick is normal and God will help us to handle it :)
ReplyDeleteI know with all certainty that you are a huge blessing to those children, those kids don't have families where they can lean on for support and love and are growing up having support and love through missionaries like you. They need people that are Christ like so they can see that Jesus cares for them and loves them greatly. I have no doubt that you along with the rest of the missionaries are doing a great job!!!. We are praying for you and whenever you are homesick think of Gods promise :
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Jer. 29:11
You have a great future ahead of you! and God will help you go through it :D
Love ya :D