The first day we went to Avion Park a girl named Felicia glued herself to my side. Everyday for both the morning work on the field and the afternoon VBS she was always with me. There were a handful of other children that spent a lot of time with me as well, but none as much as Felicia. At first she would try to fight off other children who she considered to be competition for my affection and attention- pushing them away and getting mad at them. But I would tell her not to be mean to them and gave them love too, but making sure to pay her attention as well. She would often play with my ring that I wear. It has a cross in the center of a heart on it and I explained to her that it represented how I have Jesus Christ in my heart. The next day she showed up with a ring on the same finger that I wear mine on. The second to the last day of the VBS we sat down after singing a song and there was a boy named Gereldo in front of me who was too short to see over the other childrens heads. Felicia would always sit in my lap every chance she got, but this time she had just sat close beside me and I pulled Gereldo into my lap so that he could sit higher and be able to see. Then later we got up for another song, and when we sat back down Felicia picked up Gereldo and sat him into my lap! This was just one of many examples of the change that Felicia had gone through over the coarse of the week and it was such an encouragement to get to see that change in her!
It was very hard when we had to say goodbye to the children on Friday. There were many crying faces, including mine. But when we left I gave Felicia a bible that I keep in my purse and I just pray that she will treasure it as much as I treasure her because although we went to be a blessing to those children, they were a blessing to us.
I also really feel like God has been stretching me and growing me. Everytime that we have gone into a hospital I feel uneasy not knowing how I am going to be able to help and feeling like whatever I do is going to be uneffective, but God gives me the words to say or the love to pour out and a way to put a smile on someones face and I leave thinking "wow, I didnt think that was possible" and trusting God more because of it.
I thank all of you at home praying for us and want you to know that your prayers are working, because God is doing wonderful things. And you should all be proud of these students- I am. I feel very blessed to get to be here with them and seeing the Lord use them, and them stepping up and just blowing my mind. Every once in a while I just stop what I am doing so I can just watch THEM, they have been so bold, so loving, so completely amazing. All you parents are very lucky to have such great kids.
Mom and Dad I love you! Hope everything is well. See you in about 6 days!~Tiff
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Tiff,
It was So very good to hear from you! It sounds like you will have lots of stories when you get back and I can't wait to have you home! Really wondering how in the heck Tyler chipped a tooth . . . hmmm. . . have a good flight and I'll see you at the church (?) or do you want me to be at the airport? I can do either if you can get word to me. . . . dad says he loves you and he misses you. Bob is a nut case without you! Hugs to Tyler! Love, mom and dad!
Hey dearest Tiff! So happy to read your blog! Felicia will be singing "Thank you for giving to the Lord" one day, and she'll be singing about you! My arms are reaching right through this digital communication with a big hug! We love you, can't wait to hear more about your adventure. A hug to Tyler too!
Love, K-K, Carlos, and SC!
Hey Tiffany, great to hear from you. I have a picture of you holding a child in Mexico. That's the vision that came to mind as I read your blog. I enjoyed reading your story. Great job over there.
Lee
Post a Comment