Saturday, June 15, 2013

Day 33 of our adoption journey


In his writings to the Corinthians, Paul stated “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NIV).  Do you realize you can love in so many ways but not just any love?  The love I am referring to is the love that passes all understanding, it is the love of Christ that we can show to one another.  Yesterday as we went to visit “H” at camp, we purchased a huge 6 liter container of water to take and some small cups.  The teacher with them was so excited and we told her we would try to bring one every day because the only water there is the water taste like sprite with no favoring or sweetener added.  Also we asked if there was anything they needed and as she made out a list she and one of the older girls helped us understand all of the items they needed.  Also they told us they did not have any thing for the children to play with. 

Ok now with list in hand Kathy and I headed to the market area this morning to find these items.  We found games and balls for them to play with and we purchased them a badminton set.  We also found a dart board the younger guys can play indoors when it is raining (don’t worry momma’s it was the felt and Velcro type).  We got to balls that can be used for soccer or volley ball and a basketball.  These children were so excited you would have thought it was Christmas morning.  You see what we are discovering here, just a little kindness goes a long way.  People can be reached when you begin with kindness and show them Jesus through your actions.  Many times we have wondered; what can I do that can make a difference?  This is how, find some way to show Jesus, in a kind word, a ball for children to play with or even in their case today a bottle of shampoo. 

We also learned yesterday that 5 of the young boys including “H” did not have a tooth brush so we bought 5 tooth brushes and 2 tubes of paste.  While they were all thanking us I have to give all of the credit to God and His Son, Jesus who are constantly teaching me how to love more and more each day.  Just like the shoes a couple of days ago that were too small for “H” and we told the teacher to please give them to one of the smaller children who might need them.  We can find ways to help the fatherless, widows, poor, sick, tired, hungry and the lost.  Study the New Testament in the Gospels and you will see how Jesus taught by example.  Examples we need to follow, it is easy to sit on a padded pew in church and say Christians needs to do something but step out the door and we totally forget.  God is not pleased with this.  If you can talk the talk can you walk the walk?  If so, are you, if not, why not? 

Today we had another wonderful day with “H” and the other children with him at camp.  They are all just wonderful and if I could I would bring them all home with me.  There are two of the older girls that have the true spirit of a mother already in them.  They help watch after the younger children and to see them interacting with them you can tell they are going to be wonderful mothers someday.   “H” is reminding us every day how many days left until we get him and start our journey home.  He is getting so excited and as much as I am looking forward to going home I believe he is more excited than Kathy or me. 

One thing I have been doing a lot of since we have been here is walking, because it is just the way of life here.  They walk everywhere, if they need to go to the market they will either walk, or ride a bicycle if they have one.  Oh there are automobiles here and many have them but for those who don’t walking is the mode of transportation.  Today after our visit we learned the bus was not running today so I had to make a hike out from the camp about 1 mile to call a taxi.  And something occurred to me, I was able to walk it and it did not cause my calves to cramp up or my legs to hurt.  Not only that I did not give out of breath doing it.  Oh yes I worked up a sweat but I was able to do it there and back and get this I beat the taxi back to the camp.   Just as I arrived I got a drink of water and turned around and there he was.  How about that, God is helping this old, overweight American get in shape.  Now is that not just how good our God is?  He helps us take care of these bodies when we don’t even realize it!
Picture of the day.
 
 

3 comments:

CAH said...

It's so easy to forget when not overseas all the little things we take for granted. And how one person can make a difference in the life of another. True charity, with no expectation of anything in return, is one of the most difficult virtues to practice, in my opinion. It is so refreshing and eye opening to witness it via your blog.
Thank you. You have reminded me of some of the intangible benefits of special need adoption: not all perfection is physical.

When most people think of helping/adopting orphans they envision the typical perfect parentless child. They are missing out on all the children who return and express perfect love. What a blessing, God has sent you to this orphanage for your adoption.

Rev. Ben Dailey said...

"C" you are so right. Just a little thing like shampoo made those young girls so happy and a small ball brought great joy to the boys.

Little is much when God is in it!

CAH said...

Please remind me of that when I'm overseas adopting and missing the insignificant things we take for granted here.

C.