Today was a sweet spirited day... I don't really know how to explain it but it just felt peaceful and I truly felt delight in this day. That doesn't mean it didn't have its trials, girls still got into trouble and had to be punished, it poured rain all day, the electricity went out for 5 hours (4th time in the week and a half that I've been here), the girls in charge of cooking started too late and we had grilled bologna sandwiches instead, and we had to address the situation of one of the girls wearing 3 bras to make her look a little more blessed up top (yes, even though the culture is different, girls struggle just the same as the U.S.) just to name a few. BUT God gave me a smiling spirit today.
I feel like today was a day about relationships and being able to hangout with the girls. I feel like they are starting to open up to me and trust me being around, like they feel like they can come to me. It's like they have to make sure I am sticking around before they invest in a relationship with me. At the same time I am learning how to be a disciplinarian and authority figure and still have relationships with them to where they feel like they can talk to me about things.
The electricity went out at about 1pm today. We all went about the day and when dinner came along we gathered into the kitchen. As we handed out plates the electricity came back on and the kitchen erupted in cheers! This meant not walking around the farm in the dark (bc it would be dark in about an hour), hot showers, and coffee for me! This isn't the first time they cheered like this when the electricity came back on... it has been everytime. In this moment sitting in the kitchen hearing their cheers, my soul sighed and I smiled. It has been the first time that I can say with everything I truly felt joy being here. Thank you Jesus for the encouragement of today... not because it was filled with great things or because I have some awesome Jesus story to tell. But Lord, you provided me with comfort in the little things.
Your prayers are being heard by our amazing God. Your prayers are felt. Thank you for your faithfulness in praying for me.
AP
Amanda-what a joy and privilege it is to get to read about your day. Even if it is a small piece of the day. "May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word." 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
ReplyDeleteLove-Christine
I love you sister! This makes my day! Rock on for Jesus!
ReplyDeleteAP, im reading this and wanting to be there with you. I love you so much and i miss you everyday. Like right now for example. God is teaching me how to grow up, but its pretty hard without your shoulder here to cry on. Praying for you.
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