1 Timothy 1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service.
I thought I would fill you in a little on the work and things that have been happening here since my return. Since I have been back I have been keeping busy with looking at what comes next in the Hope for Children program. I have again started to see some of the kids in the program, making sure that our time is well used I not only complete paperwork with them but ask them about school, family, and health. Doing my best to assist them when I able. I often end our time with prayer and lift up their requests. Our kids are busy with exams as school is about to lock for 2 months.
Last week I was very privelaged to join a teacher team in Bombali Bana in which I had the chance to teach on hygiene and reading along. I am not quite ready to change my career path but I enjoyed the time in the classroom very much, though I doubt all children in classrooms around the world are so eager to listen to every word and jump at the chance to interact.
When I am not teaching in schools or visiting kids, I have started nurse work at a drug rehabilitation center, City of Rest. In a post-war torn country psychological and drug problems are much too overlooked. They instead are cast out of society, not given the time, let alone given the therapy needed. City of Rest is taking time for these hurting souls; however, a chain around the ankle of the patients still separates them from the outside. Currently the need is great for a nurse to be there full time. My two partial days a week are not enough to do the work needed. There are many physical, spiritual, and emotional needs that need to be met here. The work is big but there are many there that have the heart and motivations to see that these needs will be met.
In all my spare time I see a little girl Emma 2-3 times a week to bandage her ankle. Once a open wound bigger than a fist, with the help of Heleen our housemate and a couple others we have cared for the wound and within a few weeks hope to see her without bandages. She always has a huge smile on her face and bears with us as well re-bandage her. I spend a couple afternoons a week outside with the great neighbor kids and their families. I don't believe I will ever learn every game or how to cook every Salone dish but I enjoy the laughter between us as I attempt!
In the past weeks I have had many precious moments such as when I saw Hannah a girl with disabilities for the second time. From the moment we met we were friends. She is likely around eleven years. Has cerebral palsy something I am familiar with as I cared for another precious girl back home for 2 years. CP does not drain any joy from these girl's lives and adds joy to the lives of those they meet. Her eyes lit up when I saw her and she embraced me with a sweet hug and a huge smile. Having a sister who has this same quality has given me a passion to speak out for those here that have disabilities. What I am doing here is so miniscule but it is a part of God's big picture and I hope to just shine a little love into lives that lack love. I hope in the next few days to post some skirts on here that are made by two men with disabilities who are trying to not use their hands for begging but use them to make beautiful skirts. Please be looking for that to come! I hope you will continue to pray with me as I continue my last months here. There is overwhelming needs but there are many here and those of you back home who care and who are trying to make a difference! God see's the big picture, have that confidence in his Holy Spirit to lead you to say a prayer for those who are often overlooked.
Matthew 7:7-11
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
