Missing the kids, missing home, being so content with my Cochabamba life, feeling a little worthless therefore looking for more ministry opportunities, joy of meeting new friends, stressed about planning my near future, loving where God has put me right now, frustrated with the language, and still culturally confused at times.
Yes, a mix of MANY emotions.
In the midst of these feelings and desire to serve more I was introduced this week to The Nutrition Center. Way across the city from my zone is a center for malnourished children. I went twice this week to visit them; feed them, play with them, and just show then some love. They live there, someone of them visited by parents, some of them not. Some have more serious problems than others but all of them with significant sickness in some way.
Though being cared for, many are still physically in terrible condition. Hot and sweaty, many are running fevers and underweight, some don't even know how to eat. Too young to talk I was only able to react to their emotions. Which got me thinking... One second they are smiling, giggling, and happy but before you know it they are crying and giving me looks of discomfort. The babies I fed were usually refusing the food I was spoon feeding them. Either because they didn't know how to eat or they didn't realize this gooey thing we call "baby food" would soon bring them back to health. I suddenly realized how alike I am to the children...
I get frustrated and I get really, really happy. I laugh, throwing my head back and letting my cheeks turn bright red but later on I put my head in my hands in frustration, rubbing my eyes. I'm just like them...
God is feeding me.
He is giving me exactly what I need to be strengthened in my future. Every thing that comes into my life is sent from God for my benefit; blessings, trials, people, places, lessons. I'm constantly being given "food" for my spiritual and emotional advantage.
"Whoever humbles himself as a child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:4
I get frustrated and I get really, really happy. I laugh, throwing my head back and letting my cheeks turn bright red but later on I put my head in my hands in frustration, rubbing my eyes. I'm just like them...
God is feeding me.
He is giving me exactly what I need to be strengthened in my future. Every thing that comes into my life is sent from God for my benefit; blessings, trials, people, places, lessons. I'm constantly being given "food" for my spiritual and emotional advantage.
"Whoever humbles himself as a child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Matthew 18:4
I am the baby that doesn't know how to eat. I'm too caught up in my own mind and way of functioning to take a break and just ask God to show me.
Teach me to eat, Lord.
I am the baby that is refusing her one shot at health. I'm trying to find my own ways of strengthening myself which are nothing compared to His encouragement, trials, love, and patience.
Teach me to eat, Lord.
I am the baby that doesn't realize the food being given her. I'm too human, too set in my ways, too self-consumed to see what God is handing me.
Teach me to eat Your food, Lord.
"Do not fear, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you surely I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous, right hand."
Isaiah 41:10
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| Sorry if I went over-board with the food analogy. Made sense to me, hope it does to you too! Oh & this is just a random picture of me & some of the new Bolivian food I'm trying. |
:)
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