It broke my heart.
It was the second day of VBS.
We knew better what we were doing and how the day would go. We were hoping that it would be smoother, transitions would go better.
I wasn't expecting to hear what I did that day.
I was the teacher in the group, so I began the Bible story, about how Jesus fed the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.
And then I asked the question.
I asked them to share something that God had done to provide for them.
I asked ORPHANS, in India. Children who had been abandoned, abused, neglected, were once starving and completely rejected by the world.
I asked them something that God had provided in their lives.
I honestly don't know what I expected the answer to be, but their answer stills echoes in my mind and my heart.
After a little prodding from my translator, one girl stood up, I don't remember which one.
She stood up and said that God had brought her to this home, where she learned about Him.
I'm tearing up just thinking about what she said.
Several other children said the same thing throughout the day and the different groups.
"God brought me here. And because I am here, I learned about Him. Because I am here, I know Him."
Do you understand what they were saying to me?
They were thankful that they were living in an orphanage, because it provided a way for them to hear the gospel.
They were thankful for all the pain and hurt in their lives, because now they know the love of God.
They can see that the pain of loosing earthly parents led to them to knowing the love of their heavenly Father who will never leave them or forsake them.
They know that though their lives are hard, they have hope because of Christ.
This is why I love orphanages.
Because through this one orphanage over a 1000 children will one day know the love of their Father!! More than 1000!! Because they will keep coming!!
Because through this orphanage, these children have learned that though they do not have the kind of family that we do, that we say they are supposed to, they have a better family. They have a heavenly family. They have siblings and friends and workers and a whole bunch of American college students who miss them and love them so very much and most of all, they have a GOD who loves and cares for them.
A FATHER who wants the very best for them and will see that all things work for their good.
And you know what else, because of this orphanage, they aren't going to keep this message to themselves.
Because they know that God is the only one that they can truly rely on, the only one who can truly save them, they are going to tell EVERYONE.
India will be different because of God's work through this orphanage.
It was the second day of VBS.
We knew better what we were doing and how the day would go. We were hoping that it would be smoother, transitions would go better.
I wasn't expecting to hear what I did that day.
I was the teacher in the group, so I began the Bible story, about how Jesus fed the 5000 with 5 loaves and 2 fish.
And then I asked the question.
I asked them to share something that God had done to provide for them.
I asked ORPHANS, in India. Children who had been abandoned, abused, neglected, were once starving and completely rejected by the world.
I asked them something that God had provided in their lives.
I honestly don't know what I expected the answer to be, but their answer stills echoes in my mind and my heart.
After a little prodding from my translator, one girl stood up, I don't remember which one.
She stood up and said that God had brought her to this home, where she learned about Him.
I'm tearing up just thinking about what she said.
Several other children said the same thing throughout the day and the different groups.
"God brought me here. And because I am here, I learned about Him. Because I am here, I know Him."
Do you understand what they were saying to me?
They were thankful that they were living in an orphanage, because it provided a way for them to hear the gospel.
They were thankful for all the pain and hurt in their lives, because now they know the love of God.
They can see that the pain of loosing earthly parents led to them to knowing the love of their heavenly Father who will never leave them or forsake them.
They know that though their lives are hard, they have hope because of Christ.
This is why I love orphanages.
Because through this one orphanage over a 1000 children will one day know the love of their Father!! More than 1000!! Because they will keep coming!!
Because through this orphanage, these children have learned that though they do not have the kind of family that we do, that we say they are supposed to, they have a better family. They have a heavenly family. They have siblings and friends and workers and a whole bunch of American college students who miss them and love them so very much and most of all, they have a GOD who loves and cares for them.
A FATHER who wants the very best for them and will see that all things work for their good.
And you know what else, because of this orphanage, they aren't going to keep this message to themselves.
Because they know that God is the only one that they can truly rely on, the only one who can truly save them, they are going to tell EVERYONE.
India will be different because of God's work through this orphanage.
I think I am now your blog's biggest fan. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow. What a story - I bet you think of this so often. I hope it will come to my mind often, too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful story. I keep running across your name on google, checked out your Facebook profile and found your blog. I love your heart for these children! I know that they will be changed by God's work through this orphanage and through you.
ReplyDeleteNo words... just tears... thank you for this.
ReplyDelete