Everyday here in India is full of surprises. Whether that be a completely different schedule to the day than what was planned, to random people constantly flowing through the home we are staying at with some occasionally drinking all of our water. Or, it might be a special surprise specifically planned by God for us that day.
Throughout my time here I find that I'm constantly being provided and cared for. The Lord constantly sees my needs and tends to them in beautiful ways. When I'm feeling low, he knows exactly how to put a smile on my face and how to fill me with joy. When I'm feeling out of place, he pulls me in and shows me how much he loves and cares for me. When I'm in a bad mood and would like to be left alone, he invades my space and pushes me into getting back into my normal self.
Let me explain a little bit more of what I mean-
During the first week or two of ministry my team and I were working on adoption papers. In doing so we walked to the office each day which meant we were to pass the 'tent village'. This little village is full of houses made of literal trash, they use anything they can find to help keep their homes stable. This village is also home to many sweet adorable children who run up to shake our hands, or give hugs and yell "Hi! How are you!" every time we pass by. There was one day that after working on paperwork all day long I was feeling pretty drained and just wanted to go home and keep to myself for a little bit. As we started walking home and began getting closer to ten village I started to dread having to pass it and be swarmed with all of the kids. We got closer to the village and I began picking up my pace a bit in hopes to breeze right by the kids and keep on my way home, but God had a different idea for me. A few of the kids came sprinting out, literally sprinting, leaving me with no opportunity to slip by. As they ran up to me and I saw the huge smiles on their faces and joy to see me and my team to be passing by, my mood was instantly lifted. I hugged and tickled those kids more than I had any other time we passed, giving them attention that just a few minutes before I didn't want to make time for. God saw my bad mood and knew exactly how to change it, kicking me in the butt along the way for trying to give up a chance at being His hands and feet.
These are some of the kids who live in the tent village!
Another time on my first day back to ministry after being sick (explained in my last blog), I was still feeling pretty tired and not fully recovered from it all. We were heading to Victory House, which is the biggest orphanage of all of Sarah's Covenant Homes and since it is the biggest it also is the most intense. I was a bit weary of what the day had in store for I was already feeling pretty tired and I was worried that I would overdo it on my first day back. But God obviously knew this and he also knew exactly how to rid me of my tiredness and fears. When we arrived at Victory all of the school boys were home on holiday, which meant Andrew was there! Seeing his smiling face quickly lifted my spirits and filled me with new joy for the day. I got to play musical chairs with all of the kids, having Andrew as my partner. We ran around in circles weaving in and out through the other children and we were pushed and elbowed in efforts to be beaten to the seats. Together we finished in second place, not too shabby if I do say so myself! God saw my worry and needs and blessed me with a wonderful surprise of having Andrew and the other school boys home. He filled me with the strength to not just make it through the day but to go through it pleasantly and with a spirit full of life, able to share his love in a way that was glorifying to Him.
Here are a few pictures at Andrew and I owning musical chairs!
He renews my strength.
He guides me along right paths,
Bringing honor to his name.
Surely your goodness and
unfailing love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will live in the house of the Lord
forever.
– Psalms 23: 3 &6
Our God is so good! He looks out for us everyday- tending to our needs and renewing our strength. He guides us each and every day giving us direction and purpose, for without it we would be lost! I wouldn't be as joyful as I have grown to be if he were to not love me in the way that he does. If the Lord didn't send me new surprises each day I wouldn't be able to live this life in the goodness he intended it to be.
Thanks Jesus.
