Allow me to apologize for being absent in updating you all about my time here in Georgia over the past month or so. As I've had the opportunity to dive further into my role here at Hephzibah Ministries and the local community, I've found my time and energy consumed by many other people and activities. While most all of these opportunities have been amazing learning experiences, it would be dishonest of me to say that I'm not looking forward to this time coming to an end. I'm tired to the depth of my being and feel very fully that the Lord has prepared a place for me back at school that I need to respond to. This summer was from the Lord in every way, and I have so many stories that I would love to share with anyone who is interested in listening when I return home and then back to campus in a few short weeks. Until then, I hope I can satisfy some curiosity through this post.
In previous posts throughout the summer, I've mentioned that one of the biggest blessings the Lord provided to me this summer was the church family I connected with on my first full day in Macon. This small community of believers has lived out what Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 12 when he teaches on the Body of Christ and the many members each playing a unique and necessary part. As I said goodbye to these devoted prayer warriors today, I reminisce on the lessons they have taught me through their love and actions this summer.
"The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts, and though all its parts are many, they form one body. SO it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greek, slaves or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink"
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
As most churches do in the summer, Wesleyan Drive Baptist Church hosted Vacation Bible School in mid-July for their own youth as well as any community youth who wanted to attend. This was an outreach ministry for the church, so, if I'm not mistaken, there was no registration fee per child. Because VBS was held in the evenings, I had the opportunity to volunteer with the church and meet many more genuine individuals with hearts that follow the Lord. As I watched, these individuals ranged from teenagers leading groups of children from activity to activity, to middle-aged adults who led worship and got the children excited at the beginning of each evening, to men and women with cerebral palsy who helped sing songs and pass out door prizes each evening, to the older generation who came each evening to observe and pray for the festivities that were taking place. Every skill and gift that the Lord had placed in the church was being used, and each person left that week feeling that they had made a difference for His Kingdom.
Perhaps my favorite part of the week was the final evening when we had a family celebration. All the children could invite any family and friends they desired to come participate in a brief worship service, dinner, and a releasing of balloons to mimic the paper lanterns that are released in Thailand and other East Asian nations. Attached to the string of each balloon were prayer cards with the name and address of the church so that wherever the balloons landed and were picked up, that individual might know that he is welcomed in this community. Have you ever seen such a beautiful sight? This beautiful surrender of God's love to share it with others by the hearts and hands of children...
"And he said, 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like the little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.'"
Matthew 18:3-5
I suppose you could say that my job description is to welcome these little children as Jesus did. I spend approximately 40 hours a week with little people ages 0-2 years who are filled with endless amounts of drool, need frequent diaper changes even when it feels like I just changed them, think that hitting/scratching/biting/kicking is an acceptable way of releasing their frustration on their friends (or on me), and are generally just sticky and loud all the time. But these little people are also filled with as many hugs as I could ever need to make it through the day. They have smiles and giggles that could melt even the hardest hearts, and they find joy in the smallest things--a sticker, peek-a-boo, fingerpainting, etc. And have you ever rocked a child to sleep every day singing "Jesus Loves Me" and "Amazing Grace" knowing that you are whispering the Truth of Heaven to them as they drift off to sleep? I get to do that four times a day until all the children are asleep.
This summer I've watched a little girl grow from a 6-month old who could sit up on her own to a 8-month old who is crawling at super-speed and pulling herself up to standing every chance she gets.
This summer I've watched a little boy go from being anxious and scared every time mom dropped him off to being full of joy and smiles when he gets to play and explore and learn with us.
This summer I've watched a little girl develop her language from one- and two-word requests to overflowing sentences that never cease as she learns more and more.
My job doesn't only allow me to work with these children though. I've also had opportunities to work with their young moms and help them learn how to best play with and take care of their children. These moms range from 14-20 years old, and most of them just started back to high school this past week. Having not been in their shoes, I cannot fathom going to school all day, sitting in class and dealing with the stressors that come with being a teenager, then coming home and raising a child. Yet these young women are doing that, and most of them are doing it beautifully. I'm encouraged for the futures of these children and their mothers as they all continue to work hard and (I pray) follow the rules so they can stay united when they leave this place down the road.
Not every part of my job is easy, however. This summer, there have only been three of us working in the Early Childhood and Parenting Center at any given point. While all the necessary ratios of adults to children have been met adequately through this, we are exhausted. Children are endless fountains of energy, and my fountain has begun to run dry after 9 weeks of pouring out into these little ones and their mothers who need so desperately to know that they are loved. Some of our moms forget that the reason they are here at Hephzibah is the hope that they can gain custody of their children, and their negative attitudes are draining and contagious to everyone around them. I have to admit, on days when I'm already tired and a little bit cranky, I don't want to love these young women. I want to yell at them and ask them if they realize they're ruining their future with their child. Other moments, our toddlers through fits that last seemingly forever, and I want to shake them and say, "Just quit it and take this toy I'm giving you and be happy!"
It is in these moments that I know the Lord has spoken through my mouth and has taken over my hands. His way is higher than my way, and He has spoken gentle words to our moms in these moments. He has used funny faces and warm hugs rather than words of anger and hands of rage to calm the crying child. As I think back on the many, many times this summer that my patience ran thin and somehow I still made it though the day and week, I can only praise God for remaining with me in these moments. I made a point to daily spend time in His word and in prayer to restore my spirit this summer--something I have never been able to do consistently in the past. Yet this summer, it came naturally. The Lord knew that now, more than ever, I would need His help to make it through every moment, so He provided the means.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take you stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand...Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."
Ephesians 6:10-13, 19-20
I have just one week left here in Macon before I head back home and then on to begin my senior year of college. The Lord has put a large space in my heart for the people in Macon and the work He has started here. I am deeply saddened to leave for these reasons, but I know that He has prepared a place for me at school that I must fill until my time there is complete. I ask for your prayers as I finish my work here, that I may finish with the same goal I had when I started: fully surrendered to the Lord's will. It is easy for me to mentally be done here and think about what is next, but I have work to finish here first. Thank you for your support and prayer as I have spent time here. It has strengthened me and encouraged me every step of the way.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin the so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12:1-3
