reflecting

I can't believe this trip is over. it flew by. I can still remember hearing these kids sing for the first time. I remember having my first African meal. I remember going to my first worship service and my first sabbath. everything that has happened in the past 2 weeks will stay with me forever.

right now I am thankful. I am thankful I was given this opportunity. I am thankful I serve a loving God who gives us challenges in life and cheers when we succeed. I am thankful I got to see and love on each coffee bean colored child, old and young. I am thankful the Lord stays with each person on the world. he never leaves or forsakes anyone. he never left each orphan on the street. he was always there. and is always there.

secondly, I am overwhelmed. how did I get chosen to go on this trip? why didn't God send someone else? I think I have a small idea why. first, it was in God's plan for my life. second, because He knew I would be changed for the better. but I know he planted a seed in my heart. I don't know what will happen with this seed but in time God will reveal his plan for me.

God did awesome things this trip. he helped us build a playground with 2 slides, monkey bars, 2 climbing walls, swings, a volleyball net, and 2 tetherball sets. he also allowed us to come into each orphan's heart and pour into it. he helped us get enough donations to give 250 orphans a backpack with 10 items in it. he allowed us to see how some of His children live in this world. I know it opened my eyes.

something pastor benson shared with us the last night was proverbs 11:24-25. "one gives freely, yet grows all the richer; another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want. whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered." no need to explain this. I know I've been watered. no doubt.

so that leads me to where I am now. amazed at God's work and thankful he chose me, a 16 year old from Alabama, to be His hands and feet for these children. I thought I'd leave an imprint on these kids, but they left an imprint on my heart forever.