Two years ago the thought of coming on a trip to spend time with kids would have made me sick to my stomach. To be completely honest I didn't like kids very much. They were loud, needed too much attention, and always had some type of bodily fluid coming out of them:( When my niece was born my heart softened a little bit, but the real change occurred when I began to pray that God would give me a love for children. God did more than that. Here I am in a children's home for kids with special needs, and I love it. I have been amazed at the love that has grown in my heart for these children, but they are just so beautiful.
One of the first little girls I heard about was a little girl named Genevieve and even though I hadn't yet met her, I already felt a connection to her. I was nervous, but also very excited to meet all of these children. When I met little Genevieve she was so shy and didn't say a word. I didn't get to see her often, but when I did I would try and talk to her. This past week I was able to hang out with her and play with her for a while and it was so much fun. The first day I went and picked her up and she barely said a word, but as we started playing she started to giggle and talk very softly. Later that week I came down the stairs to play with all of the kids and I saw her run at me with arms up in the air wanting me to hold her. It was the best feeling to experience that much love from such a tiny little person.
I have constantly been reminded through these children, how precious we all are to God. So precious that he calls us his children. That's exactly what we are. He is our father and he loves us so much, but he also desires us to love on others as well. The fact that I didn't really like children before was out of selfishness. I wasn't willing to give my attention to anyone, I wanted people to pay attention to me. God has been faithful to love these children through me, but he has also helped me to see that this is something that needs to continue when I am home as well. As Christians we are the ones who have the privilege to love these children with Christ's love, which is exactly the kind of love they need. So many people are so thirsty to be truly loved, and how selfish of me to hold back the beautiful love I have been given freely.
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13: 34-35.
We are to love the people in this world and love each other. That is how people will know that we are followers. Not if we know a whole lot about the bible or can debate really well, but if we love each other. As a church we are to be unified loving one another, building each other up, and loving this lost world. So many times love is twisted to fit what we think it should look like, but it is time we all look to God and his perfect example of love in Christ. Only then will people be able to experience the great love God has for them! Thank you so much for all of your prayers! I also would ask that you pray for each one of the kids at SCH! They are so special and so loved and I know God has so much love for them. Thank you!
Hannah
