Perhaps my most favorite time while I am here is whenever I have downtime, time that I can spend as I wish. Every time, I choose to spend this time with the kids because they are the reason I am here. But, I am quickly realizing it's because they have become my best friends, my brothers and my sisters. I treasure this time I get to spend with them simply because we have so much fun together. We play cards, tease each other, dance, look at pictures and videos, tell jokes, learn Tamil (well, I do!), play games (cricket, football, cho cho, kickball, hide and seek) and we truly enjoy being together.
Today was spent in our rooms because it rained nonstop all day long. This evening's downtime was one that I don't want to ever forget in this lifetime. The majority of it was spent without electricity; not that electricity played any significant role in it anyways. After a tasty tiffin of sweet payasam with the girls, we had "prayer" together. It was completely spontaneous, of their own doing; I simply agreed to join them. We all gathered in a circle in one of their rooms. Together we sang praise songs, told Bible stories, shared testimonies and prayed. While all of these moments were precious to me, it was praying that I treasured most. Picture it if you will...about 25 girls, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years old, and myself in a circle, on our knees praying by candlelight. Each taking turns praying for a variety of different prayer points that were mentioned prior to the beginning of our prayers. Many of their prayers were in Tamil...a few were brave enough to pray in English. It was such an incredible feeling to be praying with these girls, whether I could understand their prayers or not. To me, their prayers were beautiful. They melted my heart. Nandhini thanked the Lord for having a nice place to stay, nice dresses to wear and food to eat. Gomathi prayed for her studies as she is in a very important school year (X standard). Joyce prayed for her brother, Gabriel's studies (also in X standard), for all of their US sponsors, and for the team's upcoming arrival in Dec/Jan. I am so thankful that I was able to hear these girls' prayers because they showed me the wonderful relationship that they have with the Lord. It filled my heart with an immense amount of joy to see the amount of love they have for Him.
After prayer with the girls, I headed to the boys' rooms for a little while before dinner. The older boys were sleeping, but the younger boys were singing praise songs. Again, it was not a planned worship time, they were just doing it of their own accord. It was so great to listen to them praising God (in their own language and English) and to have the chance to join them in doing so. They practiced a wonderful skit of the story of David and Goliath, eager for me to correct any of their English mistakes. Their skit was incredible for a group of boys ranging in age from 4 to 13 years old! Afterwards, we simply sat together telling stories and speaking about their questions about America; innocent questions that clearly they were very curious about. It was such a sweet sweet time to be able to sit with these amazing young boys and just chat with them.
I can't quite describe to you why this time means the most to me. It might even sound a bit boring to you (I certainly hope not, but I don't know as I am not coming from your perspective). You really have to experience one of these downtimes to truly understand what I'm talking about. Hopefully, my descriptions have given you enough detail to be able to imagine them. I feel so blessed to be able to fill my downtime with these children. They are the reason for my happiness each and every day. It is because of them that I can spend six months away from my friends, family and home, and not be incredibly homesick every minute of every day. I love them too too much. For Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-5, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." Never have these Bible verses rang any clearer for me than they have tonight. Thank you, Jesus.
Today was spent in our rooms because it rained nonstop all day long. This evening's downtime was one that I don't want to ever forget in this lifetime. The majority of it was spent without electricity; not that electricity played any significant role in it anyways. After a tasty tiffin of sweet payasam with the girls, we had "prayer" together. It was completely spontaneous, of their own doing; I simply agreed to join them. We all gathered in a circle in one of their rooms. Together we sang praise songs, told Bible stories, shared testimonies and prayed. While all of these moments were precious to me, it was praying that I treasured most. Picture it if you will...about 25 girls, ranging in age from 4 to 18 years old, and myself in a circle, on our knees praying by candlelight. Each taking turns praying for a variety of different prayer points that were mentioned prior to the beginning of our prayers. Many of their prayers were in Tamil...a few were brave enough to pray in English. It was such an incredible feeling to be praying with these girls, whether I could understand their prayers or not. To me, their prayers were beautiful. They melted my heart. Nandhini thanked the Lord for having a nice place to stay, nice dresses to wear and food to eat. Gomathi prayed for her studies as she is in a very important school year (X standard). Joyce prayed for her brother, Gabriel's studies (also in X standard), for all of their US sponsors, and for the team's upcoming arrival in Dec/Jan. I am so thankful that I was able to hear these girls' prayers because they showed me the wonderful relationship that they have with the Lord. It filled my heart with an immense amount of joy to see the amount of love they have for Him.
After prayer with the girls, I headed to the boys' rooms for a little while before dinner. The older boys were sleeping, but the younger boys were singing praise songs. Again, it was not a planned worship time, they were just doing it of their own accord. It was so great to listen to them praising God (in their own language and English) and to have the chance to join them in doing so. They practiced a wonderful skit of the story of David and Goliath, eager for me to correct any of their English mistakes. Their skit was incredible for a group of boys ranging in age from 4 to 13 years old! Afterwards, we simply sat together telling stories and speaking about their questions about America; innocent questions that clearly they were very curious about. It was such a sweet sweet time to be able to sit with these amazing young boys and just chat with them.
I can't quite describe to you why this time means the most to me. It might even sound a bit boring to you (I certainly hope not, but I don't know as I am not coming from your perspective). You really have to experience one of these downtimes to truly understand what I'm talking about. Hopefully, my descriptions have given you enough detail to be able to imagine them. I feel so blessed to be able to fill my downtime with these children. They are the reason for my happiness each and every day. It is because of them that I can spend six months away from my friends, family and home, and not be incredibly homesick every minute of every day. I love them too too much. For Jesus said in Matthew 18:3-5, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me." Never have these Bible verses rang any clearer for me than they have tonight. Thank you, Jesus.
Wow! This is so inspirational Tricia. Praise God for these kids and what God is doing in and through them. God bless you for your obedience and service to Him. I'm really inspired... keep the fire burning!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Chancy! I'm in awe of God's amazing work too.
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