As I sit on the plane going home, I am thinking about the fact that we live in a deeply fallen world and because of that we should always expect to encounter hardship in our lives. We should never think that we can do anything on our own, which is probably why God puts impossible situations in our paths. Depending on God is the only way through our world’s messiness. If we try to evade the awareness of our own inadequacy we will miss the chance to see God in all His glory and power.
This trip has been very trying and overwhelmingly tough, with impossible mindsets, heartbroken women lashing out with hurtful words, questionable expectations, unrelenting poverty issues. I am feeling crushed and I’m questioning how anything we did this trip will make a positive impact on the lives of the women in the Gukura program. But what I do know is that God is in control and I am trusting Him. Trusting Him to make something good out of nothing. Trusting Him to come in and gloriously change these circumstances for these women. Jesus came to earth to join us in our pain and anguish, join us in our hopelessness and fear, to give us a way out through Him. Immanuel (God with us) means he is here, with us, with them. Always.
I have a love for these women that I can't explain and seeing them light up when I just hold their hand, look into their eyes or just hug them is a feeling I could never begin to describe. To see someone who thought they didn’t matter to anyone, realize they actually matter to God, is incredible. I am thankful for God, entering into the suffering of His people, giving lasting hope and peace. Leaving here breaks my heart, but I’m leaving these women in God’s hands. Knowing He understands and hurts for them, even more than I do, makes it a little easier.
This trip has been very trying and overwhelmingly tough, with impossible mindsets, heartbroken women lashing out with hurtful words, questionable expectations, unrelenting poverty issues. I am feeling crushed and I’m questioning how anything we did this trip will make a positive impact on the lives of the women in the Gukura program. But what I do know is that God is in control and I am trusting Him. Trusting Him to make something good out of nothing. Trusting Him to come in and gloriously change these circumstances for these women. Jesus came to earth to join us in our pain and anguish, join us in our hopelessness and fear, to give us a way out through Him. Immanuel (God with us) means he is here, with us, with them. Always.
I have a love for these women that I can't explain and seeing them light up when I just hold their hand, look into their eyes or just hug them is a feeling I could never begin to describe. To see someone who thought they didn’t matter to anyone, realize they actually matter to God, is incredible. I am thankful for God, entering into the suffering of His people, giving lasting hope and peace. Leaving here breaks my heart, but I’m leaving these women in God’s hands. Knowing He understands and hurts for them, even more than I do, makes it a little easier.
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