Well, I’m back from Africa and had a God-blessed-broken-friend-filled experience.
I want to share all the moments and experiences with you but I think as the Lord lays them on my heart I will write about them. The first thing I want to tell you about is the three other women on the trip who had such a great impact on my life.
My first roommate on the trip Emilie Miller- lover of God passionate for children- her beautiful smile and giving spirit enlightened me as we bonded and shared moments of sadness, poverty, sickness, love, laughter, sleepiness, sleep talking and walking, support, encouraging conversations, and a surreal understanding of God’s aching desire to use us to love and reach His lost children.
My second Roommate Erika Carew- this bright and courageous woman took my breath away as she embraced every child she came in contact with. Her continuous desire and perseverance throughout the trip to love and serve any baby, child, teen or adult was an inspiration to watch. The moments I was able to talk with her I found her to be insightful, resourceful, and have a deep heart for orphans.
My third roommate Kate Borders- a woman of extreme talents and overflowing love for anyone she meets. From the emails to the on-the-field encounters I felt her heart and it drove me to persevere, to seek out, and to push forward. Courageous and caring Kate was my daily role model of how to live a life of service and selflessness.
The verse that comes to mind if I were asked to sum up my experience with these women of God is this:
Matthew 25:35-45 (NIV) For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
Each of these women fed me-
Whether it was Emilie sharing her massive amount of goodies(cookies, power bar, candy etc.), Kate giving me a drink of water from her water bottle or soda, or Erika offering me skittles each of these women fed me on a daily basis. From Seeing Emilie in the morning and at night with an open bible in front of her, bent over as if trying to dive into the bible and see everything first hand, to Erika who expressed and showed God’s love by her actions and sweet words and food for thought, and Kate with her knowledge of the word and it overflowing from her mouth even when a bible was not close at hand. I was fed both spiritually and physically.
Each one of these women helped me when I was sick-
From Kate readily giving me hand sanitizer, Advil, Tylenol, from her magical purse that seemed to have everything, to Emilie who offered sleeping pills when I couldn’t sleep (or maybe so I would sleep deep enough so not to freak her out by talking or walking in my sleep), and from Erika who offered stomach relief medication when I was nauseous or spraying my mosquito nets at night. Each one even made sure my nets were properly tucked in at night.
They clothed me quite literally-
When some of my clothes disappeared after our first guest house we stayed at Emilie- offered me a t-shirt, Kate-lent me her skirt and Erika- lent me flip flops. Between the three of them I had a perfect MATCHING even, outfit! How great is God!
I felt so privileged to have them take part in my baptism. Emilie having the camera eye took the fantastic pictures, Kate and Erika help shield me as I was changing in and out of my dry and wet clothes and all three offered me hugs and encouragement throughout the whole trip.
God is so good to put people in my life that build me up, and inspire and encourage me to carry on! Throughout the trip these girls not only served the children, the church and the community but they served me and words cannot explain how humbled, touched, and encouraged by their selfless acts of love and kindness. Thank you and bless you ladies, from the bottom of my heart.
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
To Be Continued….
2 comments:
Thank you for your sweet comments, Jenna. I loved the trip and loved getting to know you better. Your beautiful heart for God was evident the entire time. You are a blessing to everyone around you! Thank you for your encouragement and friendship!!
Em
PS - What an honor to be at your baptism! It was amazing!
Your clothing story reminded me a time in Kathmandu when one of our gals had all of her underwear eaten by a rat.... each of us donated a pair. Nothing worse than underwear that doesn't fit! Thanks for the laugh.
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