"Perhaps They Will Listen..."

These words come from the Scripture Jeremiah 26:1-3 and were passed on to me by a friend after an exceptionally difficult Bible study we had with some of the older orphanage girls. It was quite appropriate, helpful and inspiring because many days here, I feel like I am talking to the walls or to the numerous pine trees around Emmanuel.

I used to think and worry that I had chosen the "easy" mission field by coming to this Christianity-based orphanage. I no longer think so.

The danger of growing up in a Christian community is that it becomes routine--things that are done because they have to be done and not because there is a joy and zeal for the Lord. Of course, God can use all things, and I am sure that He is planting seeds through the 5-times-a-week morning devotions and the tri-weekly afternoon Bible studies, but when I see the glazed, unfocused looks and hear the half-heartedly we-do-this-all-the-time sung songs, it frustrates me. My desire is for these kids to be on fire for our Lord, and I just don't see it.

So, as I continue to allow God to speak through me in Monday morning circles and Monday and Wednesday afternoon Bible studies, I will keep in mind the verse that says God's word that goes out will not return empty (Isaiah 55:11), and pray that..."perhaps they will listen."

**Please pray for a refreshing anointing of the Holy Spirit to rain down on Emmanuel and fill all of us with God's joy and peace. Thank you!

A New Friend

I have a new friend...she's black and white, has four feet and meows A LOT. She's a 2-month old kitten (who obviously thinks she's a parrot because she is sitting on my shoulder right now), daughter to one of my neighbors' cats, and her name is "Madrugada." This is a fun, new word that Kelly and I learned in Panama. It means "dawn," and it kind of fits because she has black for the night and white for the day. I call her "Maddie" for short.

I have had Maddie for 3 days now, and we're pretty good friends (except when she runs under my feet and I accidentally step on her). She has lived up to her playful reputation passed on by her previous owner. The first day she played with a plastic bag, red admission tickets that I use in my English classes, and an aluminum foil ball. Who needs store-bought toys?

I will always, first and foremost, be a dog-lover (the volunteers and I name all the dogs that visit the store at the front of our property), but I am thankful to God for the company of my new feline.