Finally over...not hardly!

I just don't know where to begin b/c there is so much to tell you. We've (the entire team) had two of the most incredible days of our lives. Teaching children from the orphanage about Jesus would definitely be a highlight - seeing their eyes light up when you talked about this Man that loved them unconditionally, holding them, laughing with them, seeing them sing in a choir loft and hear themselves for the first time ever singing songs of praise that they will carry with them, and seeing them leave with tears in your eyes and theirs - memories and moments that have burned a place on my heart and theirs. Incredible.

Then there's all the people that came to the church, not necessarily for medical care, but some b/c they were looking for something more. So many professions of faith were made, and so many seeds planted. Mr. Henry and Pastor Marin were both humbled and thrilled b/c they saw seeds that were planted 10 and 11 years ago harvested this week. Unbeliveable stories of people overcoming years of hardships and torment to come to know and love this man named Jesus.

Then there is today. We began an "Experiencing God" weekend where our team members faciliated small groups and myself and Gina led the children. So far all of the reports have been wonderful. People are opening up and sharing, listening to and responding to the Holy Spirit. The work with the children was awesome. I stressed for weeks about how to teach them, what to teach them and wondered how I could teach them something I couldn't even wrap my own head around. As I prepared for today I read in our books that when God gives you a God-sized assignment you will see that you cannot do it on your own. The moment of decision comes when you have to decide if you will trust that God will help you do what He has asked. So, I made a few notes and as I walked into the room this morning I said out loud - Okay God this is it, here I am now give me the words and the ability to help these children understand. We had 12 children from 5 to 12 and by the time we left every one could tell you the first 5 truths, what they meant, what they had learned today AND give you examples of each. THEY GOT IT. We had a very teachable moment when Gina was pulled to go give her testimony so we loaded up the kids and went to listen It was a beautiful sight to see them lined up on the front row pointing one finger up to let Gina know we were praying for her. They got to see God invite her, listen to her crisis of belief, and see how God brought her through. It was amazing. Everything that happened today, everything that was said - Gina and I both were only the messengers. Neither of us were capable of doing what we did ourselves. The message came straight from God. I think the most defining moment of our day was right before we dismissed. When asked what stood out to them the most today, a beautiful boy named Christian said this "I understand that knowing God and what He wants you to do is not enough, you have to do something about it." What a profound statement - he pretty much stated truth #7 and we won't cover that till tomorrow. Needless to say God spoke to Gina and I both today - and for me it came straight out the mouth of a 12 year old little boy named Christian.


So if you can picture this I'm sitting on my bed with my earphones in, singing loudly and dancing (my roommates are loving this), and typing like a crazy person to type 2 days worth on here for you AND get in the bed before 1am! I'm singing because I'm happy, I'm singing because I love Jesus, and I'm singing because this week - I HAVE EXPERIENCED GOD. Tomorrow morning in the service I will give the final testimony on Truth #7 - You can experience God when you obey Him, and His work is accomplished through you. Am I nervous - heck no! After what I learned last year when I was here about loving Jesus and loving like Jesus - and after what I have seen and felt this week nerves are not an issue. I'm excited and honored to be able to tell these people about my experience. I have seen God work all around me in the people here; I have once again felt an overwhelming love from Him and for Him, I accepted his invitation to come here and serve, I have heard Him speak through His word, through prayer, through the children we've been with, through other team members, through the churches here; I have experienced a crisis of belief where I doubted myself and my abilities only to be reminded that it's not my abilities but His, and reminded of his promises to never leave me, and that His power works best in my weakness; I have made adjustments and let Him move me in the direction He wanted; and through all those things I have EXPERIENCED HIM. The way we taught the kids this morning was like this - it is just like drinking a cold glass of water on a 100 degree day when you are so hot you can hardly breathe and the heat has drained you of your last ounce of energy. You feel like you can't hardly move then you take a drink and it is sooooo good, you feel it from the time it hits your mouth till it reaches your toes, you are refreshed and fill as if you have just been given enough strength to make it a little bit longer.

So is it over? The trip almost, but the experience - not hardly. Will I go again? Without a doubt. God has invited me and I will continue to join Him until He directs me otherwise...so how about you - will you let Him fill your cup? Go ahead, drink some water and experience Him yourself...