Kyle
This is my 3rd trip to Vietnam to spend time with the children at Birla. Every year is full of new experiences, new adventures, and new relationships. I went into this trip feeling like I had to be some sort of expert. As if going on 3 trips would make me an expert. However, Father quickly showed me that nothing goes as planned. And as much as we try to keep things under our control He shows us how things bloom when they are under His control.
Last year I met a girl from Birla who quickly attached herself to me. Wherever I went, she was there with me; whatever I did, she did it too! This year we began to continue that relationship we had built, but I was quickly asked by the house mothers to watch over some of the younger boys. While I began new wonderful relationships with these other children, I was sad that I couldn't spend the time I wanted to with the girl I was with last year. But Father quickly taught me that this trip is not about me. This trip is not about my feelings, or my heart being filled with love, but it's about pouring out the love He has provided for us onto others. Father also taught me that all the relationships he had used me to build in previous years would become useful.
The sweet girl I watched over last year hurt herself the last day we were in Do Son. She needed to get stitches on her forehead. It broke my heart to see her hurting, and embarrassed, and scared. She didn't come out of her room for the rest of the trip and said little more than three words to anyone. But today, as we spent our last amount of time with the children at Birla, I was allowed to go up to her and her friends' room with other members of our team. This girl who has felt like an outcast for the past 24 hours still had tears in her eyes. I took out a toy I had brought her and handed it to her, hoping it would help cheer her up. It had little effect. Then I took out some markers from my backpack and my journal, I tore a page from my journal and drew a picture on it of a flower. She added on to my picture by drawing a stem and leaves. Slowly I saw her energy come back as I was spending time with her. I knew she trusted me and slowly she began worrying less and less about the bandage on her face. Father showed me how a horrible situation can be alleviated by the love He provides. A love that began last year, and I selfishly wanted to push this year, but Father showed me that his timing is perfect and I was able to impact the lives of several young boys and cheer up one sad little girl because I did not get in the way of His plan.
How amazing and blessed I am to be allowed to be a part of something that is so much bigger than I am.
This is my 3rd trip to Vietnam to spend time with the children at Birla. Every year is full of new experiences, new adventures, and new relationships. I went into this trip feeling like I had to be some sort of expert. As if going on 3 trips would make me an expert. However, Father quickly showed me that nothing goes as planned. And as much as we try to keep things under our control He shows us how things bloom when they are under His control.
Last year I met a girl from Birla who quickly attached herself to me. Wherever I went, she was there with me; whatever I did, she did it too! This year we began to continue that relationship we had built, but I was quickly asked by the house mothers to watch over some of the younger boys. While I began new wonderful relationships with these other children, I was sad that I couldn't spend the time I wanted to with the girl I was with last year. But Father quickly taught me that this trip is not about me. This trip is not about my feelings, or my heart being filled with love, but it's about pouring out the love He has provided for us onto others. Father also taught me that all the relationships he had used me to build in previous years would become useful.
The sweet girl I watched over last year hurt herself the last day we were in Do Son. She needed to get stitches on her forehead. It broke my heart to see her hurting, and embarrassed, and scared. She didn't come out of her room for the rest of the trip and said little more than three words to anyone. But today, as we spent our last amount of time with the children at Birla, I was allowed to go up to her and her friends' room with other members of our team. This girl who has felt like an outcast for the past 24 hours still had tears in her eyes. I took out a toy I had brought her and handed it to her, hoping it would help cheer her up. It had little effect. Then I took out some markers from my backpack and my journal, I tore a page from my journal and drew a picture on it of a flower. She added on to my picture by drawing a stem and leaves. Slowly I saw her energy come back as I was spending time with her. I knew she trusted me and slowly she began worrying less and less about the bandage on her face. Father showed me how a horrible situation can be alleviated by the love He provides. A love that began last year, and I selfishly wanted to push this year, but Father showed me that his timing is perfect and I was able to impact the lives of several young boys and cheer up one sad little girl because I did not get in the way of His plan.
How amazing and blessed I am to be allowed to be a part of something that is so much bigger than I am.
