Tues, Sept 17 @ 11:30pm -
The first word to describe today for me is "paralyzing". So much hurt, so much pain, but so few of us - 8 to be exact. It is almost overwhelming. I question myself, are we making an impact?, will they remember?, the list goes on. I overheard Ian telling a story today about how several years ago someone commented on his ministry as that of a "Raven", meaning a little bit here and a little bit there. In fact, we are all "Ravens" or are called to be "Ravens", doing what we can here and there to spread and point to His name. It may not look like much now, but it will add up over time. And if you add up all the "Ravens"? I think you get the picture. I am also reminded of Gal 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Today was a very rainy, grey and cool day. This morning we went to a boy's correctional home. There were about twenty boys there today. The ages ranged from 10 - 12. The boys are sent there from the courts as a result of some wrong doing. During there time there they will study, learn a trade and maybe enter society again. They have about 70 acres they farm. We were very impressed with the director. He has been there for 33 yrs and really acts as a father to the boys. Their number also fluctuates from month to month. Before our program they performed several songs for us. They were very talented and had boy that could really sing.
We had pizza for lunch and headed out for our afternoon stop. The afternoon was spent at a orphanage that housed those that are physically handicapped. Some of the ailments were obvious while others were not. The program seemed to be well received again. Each program we close with the Gospel in a way they can understand and visualize. Ian had done the last couple of stops but Kevin W did it this time. I think a number of the kids got it, listened and responded. (Got a picture of it that I will show you later.) It is such a difficult message to convey that what has happened to them is not by God's design, but that He actually intended for something else. That where they are at in most cases is not their fault. They had no control over it. Yet, we are all in bondage and need Jesus Christ to set us free. I shared the following quote in my sermon earlier in the week about explaining the new heavens to kids, "There will be a day when you will run with cheetahs and swim with dolphins." (I sound like a preacher and couldn't be further from that.) I can't even fathom what these kids will be doing and experiencing in Heaven some day. And that is the hope we carry around with us each day.
We closed the day with dinner. Believe or not we found a place with french fries and steak. The steak was more like "minute steak". Can't remember if I have mentioned this or not, but we try to close each evening with a time of prayer as well as to process what we each experienced that particular day. There was a lot of thoughts, emotions and feelings expressed. Very good stuff. God has knitted together this team so neatly. Everyone compliments each other so well. I have rambled way to much. We are scheduled for two more orphanages tomorrow. One will be for the mentally handicapped. Then on Thur we are scheduled for three different stops. We will head out for Kiev on Fri morning to start the journey back home and fly out on Sat for home.
Good Night,
- Drew
The first word to describe today for me is "paralyzing". So much hurt, so much pain, but so few of us - 8 to be exact. It is almost overwhelming. I question myself, are we making an impact?, will they remember?, the list goes on. I overheard Ian telling a story today about how several years ago someone commented on his ministry as that of a "Raven", meaning a little bit here and a little bit there. In fact, we are all "Ravens" or are called to be "Ravens", doing what we can here and there to spread and point to His name. It may not look like much now, but it will add up over time. And if you add up all the "Ravens"? I think you get the picture. I am also reminded of Gal 6:9 - "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."
Today was a very rainy, grey and cool day. This morning we went to a boy's correctional home. There were about twenty boys there today. The ages ranged from 10 - 12. The boys are sent there from the courts as a result of some wrong doing. During there time there they will study, learn a trade and maybe enter society again. They have about 70 acres they farm. We were very impressed with the director. He has been there for 33 yrs and really acts as a father to the boys. Their number also fluctuates from month to month. Before our program they performed several songs for us. They were very talented and had boy that could really sing.
We had pizza for lunch and headed out for our afternoon stop. The afternoon was spent at a orphanage that housed those that are physically handicapped. Some of the ailments were obvious while others were not. The program seemed to be well received again. Each program we close with the Gospel in a way they can understand and visualize. Ian had done the last couple of stops but Kevin W did it this time. I think a number of the kids got it, listened and responded. (Got a picture of it that I will show you later.) It is such a difficult message to convey that what has happened to them is not by God's design, but that He actually intended for something else. That where they are at in most cases is not their fault. They had no control over it. Yet, we are all in bondage and need Jesus Christ to set us free. I shared the following quote in my sermon earlier in the week about explaining the new heavens to kids, "There will be a day when you will run with cheetahs and swim with dolphins." (I sound like a preacher and couldn't be further from that.) I can't even fathom what these kids will be doing and experiencing in Heaven some day. And that is the hope we carry around with us each day.
We closed the day with dinner. Believe or not we found a place with french fries and steak. The steak was more like "minute steak". Can't remember if I have mentioned this or not, but we try to close each evening with a time of prayer as well as to process what we each experienced that particular day. There was a lot of thoughts, emotions and feelings expressed. Very good stuff. God has knitted together this team so neatly. Everyone compliments each other so well. I have rambled way to much. We are scheduled for two more orphanages tomorrow. One will be for the mentally handicapped. Then on Thur we are scheduled for three different stops. We will head out for Kiev on Fri morning to start the journey back home and fly out on Sat for home.
Good Night,
- Drew
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