Charge Thru Challenge: My heart is smiling bigger than it ever has!

Recap of Tuesday, January 25, 2011

I can’t believe it is already Tuesday. This week is going by so fast and I am trying not to miss a single minute. At 9:30 every morning, the staff of ICMC goes into a room and does a morning prayer. We were able to partake in that this morning. We sang songs like “This is the day that the Lord has made” and “Shout to the Lord,” so it was so fun to sing songs that I have been singing my entire life at church and youth group. I felt so comfortable singing aloud with everyone, even though we were sitting in the very front of the room where everyone was just staring at us. The Indian women are so proud to sing at the top of their lungs so that everyone can hear them, even though singing is not really their forte.

One of my Sponsor children, Sangeetha Perumal

While we were in the middle of prayer time, a young woman walked in that had previously worked at ICMC. She began to tell us her testimony and why she was back there today. She said that her husband was very against Christianity and had shun her for wanting to work with a Christian organization. Every time the woman would get a job, her husband would show up and take her away, saying that they had stolen his wife. She had no chance of making any money until she could somehow come up with money to go to court and get a divorce so he would no longer have ownership of her... yes ownership. The group prayed for her that she would find a way to get away from her evil husband. One member gave her a little money to get started, and that was the last we saw of her. If you are a believer of Christ, please pray for this woman that she may find a way to succeed in life.

Today was the second day of distribution and it went a lot smoother than the first because we all knew how everything was supposed to go. There was a group of about 10 children that had not been on the ICMC campus all day while we were doing the distribution, so that walked in late, but with a smile from ear to ear to receive their shoes. When we slipped them on their feet, they just looked down and stared. They could not believe that 5 minutes ago they walked in barefoot and now they were walking out with new crocs on their feet. Those children made this trip worth it. They repeatedly said thank you, thank you, and wanted to shake our hands over and over. To know the joy that I gave to these children is one of the most amazing feelings. I was brought to tears when I witnessed the emotion that they felt. They have no idea the impact they have made on my life. I strive to feel even an ounce of the joy and happiness that they have.

Some of the Orphans waiting in their new shoes.

Showing some love!

The Lord has spoken to me in a way that I can’t describe. He has shown me that the simple things in life are what are important. Now of course, I have always known that, but to be shown in such a way as this has a much larger impact on me than ever before. I am literally half away around the world, and God is right here with me, holding my hand just as I have held the children’s hand. It is a sense of comfort knowing that he is right here with me leading me while I’m in India. I can’t wait to see what the Lord will do with this group the rest of the trip. I have never been more open to listening to what God has been saying. I guess it’s easier when strong Christians surround you, but I am taking full advantage of that. If I was this full of faith and love for these children today, I am highly looking forward to what the Lord has in store for the rest of the week!!!