Hi everyone!

So this week we started our ministry work!

It’s been such a fulfilling week. Full of love and joy.

So one of my biggest fears is living without a purpose. Living without a purpose is just so scary to me. I want to make an impact in people’s lives and in God’s kingdom.

I also don’t want to come home and be like the normal American Christian who just goes to church on Sundays and Wednesdays and lives their life as if they weren’t excited to share Jesus. They claim to be a Christian but they live their lives just as everyone else around them. I don’t want my fire for the Lord to burn out, I want my fire for God to be burning at all times. I don’t want to grow numb to God’s goodness.

So it’s been great being here and being able to make a difference in these kids lives. Knowing I have a purpose here and seeing that I’m making an impact has been so encouraging to me.

Monday

We started our day at 7:15. We prayed over our group, our driver, and the children we would be ministering to. We went to our first village and taught the kids English, sang songs with them, and taught them about Samuel as their Bible story.

It was definitely intimidating especially since we couldn’t communicate with the kids at all. All we could do was give them high fives and smile at them. Which somewhat frustrated me. Because I wanted to tell the kids how much I love them and how much God loves them but I couldn’t due to the language barrier. So I loved on them in whatever way I could. I feel like the kids knew that we cared for them just by the way we hugged on them and the way we interacted with them.

Tuesday

We went to one village that a local pastor is trying to reach. We basically did the same stuff as the day before, but we were able to communicate with them a bit better. We’re trying to learn some basic words like “good job” and “that’s so awesome” just so we can say something to them. Later in the day we also walked through a rice field (and got very wet in the process) to reach one family in particular. We taught them the Ten Commandments and prayed healing over the family. The father of the family has been having some health issues so we just prayed over him and his health.

Wednesday

We went to another village and fed the children vegetable porridge. We played games with them and sang with them and taught them the same as we did the other villages. Later in the day we went to a building that the organization that were with owns. The organization that we are working with is called New Day New Life. The building is in the process of being built and they’re going to make it into a school. We pulled weeds and cleaned up the area which took a few hours.

Thursday

We went back to the building that we were at Wednesday evening. And we also fed the kids there, played with them, and taught them the same lesson as before. We later continued to pull weeds and finished up some yard work from the day before. Even the local kiddos came to help us out!

I got to hug and hold so many kiddos. And so many of them gave me kisses on the cheek and they told me that the loved me. They made me some headpieces, rings, and bracelets out of the vines around. One girl in particular came up to me and brought me a snack and a bottle of coke. Her simple act of kindness literally brought me to tears. Although she doesn’t have the luxuries that we have she still gave me all that she could give me. Just so she could show me love.

The kids excitement this week was so rejuvenating. It literally melted my heart seeing the smiles on their faces. I can’t even describe the amount of joy I have felt this week. So this week we went to a different village every day and ministered to so many kiddos. We observed and next week we will lead the English lessons and Bible story. I’m super excited to start working with the kids!

These verses have been on my heart and I figured I’d share them!

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭10‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”

‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10‬:‭31‬ ‭ESV‬‬

We are God's masterpieces, created in Christ Jesus for a divine purpose, which is to engage in good works and bring God glory and expand His Kingdom. We are to glorify our Creator. In all that you do, no matter what it is, do it for God’s glory.