A drop in the ocean.

"We ourselves feel that what we're doing is just a drop in the ocean.
But the ocean would be less of that missing drop." -Mother Teresa



I love the nights. Usually at nights, we're all either doing some sort
of outreach (feeding street kids/hanging out with them) and when we're
not...
We're home worshipping, we're singing, playing games, talking, or
having dance parties with the boys here at Children's garden.
  One night while we're all sitting around the kitchen table- my belly
hurting from laughing, I stop and I catch myself in a moment. I I take
a look from the outside. As an outsider looking into my life, and
everything going on around me. I smile to myself, and can honestly say
I am beyond happy. Being surrounded by my amazing team, Sharon(our
unbelievably amazing contact), and these precious boys. I realize that
these moments will eventually be memories that I look back and smile
upon. That these moments make life worth living. To love on these
people, with the love of The Lord! And, how blessed am I to have
moments like these in my life!
        Every single day is made up of a million moments. A million
moments, that come together like a picture that is so beautifully
pieced by The Lord. Whether it's a Wednesday afternoon, and i'm having
a bible study with prostitutes. Speaking to them on just how BEAUTIFUL
they are. How worthy they are. How God fearfully and wonderfully made
them. Or it's late at night, and I'm sitting in the middle of a dirty
sidewalk talking to a bunch of teenagers living  in the streets- Being
able to share my story with them, and how much God has worked in my
life. I'm sitting in the library trying to help the younger boys with
english, by reading story books to them. Waking up at 5 to help cook
breakfast with our brothers. Them attempting to teach us how to dance,
even though I'm terrible and we just end up staying up late to have
dance parties in the kitchen. Going on random walks to the corner store
for ice cream, and Buko juice. Or even right now, as I'm sitting in the
library, and two of the boys are speaking to me in broken English
trying to annoy me...yet not realizing how cute they are at the same
exact time. Even being able to stay up late( like 3 in the morning) to
have amazing talks with our incredible contact, Sharon. Sometimes even
about boys...and maybe making a late night run to Starbucks;) Or
surprising the boys with a Christmas tree, and decorating it together.
Surprising them after dinner by making s'mores, and playing Chubby
Bunny together. All these moments, ending in laughter and smiles.
Every single day is an amazing gift.  This ministry is such a blessing.
All these amazing moments, forming my days. I can't believe how much
has already happened, and how much we've been able to help. We never
really have a moment alone, yet that's what happens when you get 20 new
brothers :)
One thing I've really been learning is this- It is so hard sometimes.
To see how these street kids live. Them not having parents to love
them. To rely on drugs, because that makes them forget. Forget they're
hungry. Forget their problems. Or seeing girls. As young as 13 selling
their bodies to make money. When you're that young, you should be in
school, finding out who you are. Having sleep overs with friends, going
to movies, and having crushes. It breaks my heart that they don't get
that. That what their lives are fixated on are things that are so
dark-no child should have to be living that kind of life. It overwhelms
me, because I want to help EVERYONE. But I'm just one person. However,
I'm realizing that I can make an impact on these people. And how easy
it is for me to lend a listening ear, and hear them out. Give them the
time of day, share my story with them. Bring them something to eat. It
can mean the world to someone, through these small actions. And to
TRUST God. Trust that God can use me. Trust that God can do all things.
And just like how God has incredibly changed my heart, and my life, he
can do that for them. That because sin is in this world, bad situations
are inevitable. However, God can use these situations to prevail, and
He can turn these horrible things completely around, and glorify
himself through doing so.

"Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted
according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or
slow to do the humble work."