Ahhhh! It’s been a week since we flew out of Atlanta, but it feels like so much longer.
Each day looks different, but so far a lot of our time has been spent loving on, playing with, and teaching kids.
Pretty much as soon as we got here went to help out with an after school camp held each week. Us arriving when we did was definitely God’s provision because the club had three times as many kids as usual! Our time was spent painting faces, tying knots on bracelets, and observing the lesson taught by the missionaries living here. We were so blessed to be able to start this way and see the impact being made. Over thirty children decided to start a relationship with Christ! Some of the children walked miles there to get a bottle of water, and were instead blessed not only by physical needs being met, but also hearing truth for the first time.
Coming into this trip none of us had any idea what our ministry would look like. We have people gifted in so many areas, especially in working with children. It’s completely ordained by God that we are working with the ministry we are. Although JZONE works in so many areas (seriously it’s incredible and I have no clue how they do it) God has put on their heart the importance of reaching children. Children are so impressionable and will follow whoever is there to lead them. It’s so important that the person there leads them to truth. It makes my heart ache just to think of these children living a life that isn’t filled with the hope of Christ.
Friday we woke up and headed to a village about 45 minutes outside of Livingstone where we got to hang out with TONS of awesome kids. It’s incredible how much can be communicated by a smile, high five, or hug. Even though there are times we can’t communicate through words, it never hinders the love of God from being shown.
Tying and handing out beads for bracelets has become a new favorite activity. Each bead represents a different part of the gospel and it’s an awesome teaching tool and reminder for them. We saw so many kids decide they were ready for the green bead, which is growing a relationship with Christ. God continues to bless the obedience being carried out here and it is so evident in each new place we go.
Saturday we got to see our church home for the time we are here and spend the day with the kids who live in the orphanage there. The big kids played games and learned a lesson. Meredith R. and I were super pumped to love on and pray over some babies so we hung out in their house. When we got there, the house mothers were meeting with a doctor about the two smallest babies. Some of the mothers left to take one of the smallest babies to the hospital to have a bigger cast put on his broken leg. After they left the other mothers busied themselves with chores so Meredith and I tried our best to entertain the little ones until lunch.
Something I think that is really important to emphasis is that we are assisting the work that is already being done. We are definitely here with purpose and to assist, but the work is continuously being done even without our help. We will continue to build relationships with the children in the orphanage this month.
