My Strength is in the Lord!

1 Peter 2:23 says that Jesus left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

Here I am again! What a weekend it has been! I am worn out! Bethany and I retreated this afternoon to the little restaurant near town where we could leave our cares behind. I can see why it was so important for Jesus to go outside the walls to pray.

I’ve been looking at these kids with a heart of adoration. How precious to catch sight of Grace all on her own, “playing house” with a baby doll when no one was watching. To see how eager Alexander, Gustav, Immanuel, (and even Absolom-though he’d never admit it) were to be the chosen few to collect sand at the dry river bed for the green house. And to see little Jamo and other younger ones carry their small loads of sand that were heavy in their arms as they filled little bags row by row. I watch Immanuel who is always helping the younger ones to get their clothes on or to do their craft, and I wonder that his grandmother beats him and think how she has no idea what a good boy she is missing out on! Last night I saw tough boy Jefta as the little boy that he’s never been able to be. We took him to the hospital and his forehead was wrinkled as he looked up, wide-eyed at the nurse, and each time I’d smile at him or tell him a joke he’d smile bashfully and ease up. I still have 3 weeks with them, but already the thought has crossed my mind, how will I leave them? I wonder how often this thought was in front of Jesus all of his short days spent with his friends on earth.

At the same time, it is not easy to be here with my additional role as manager. I never thought before now of an orphanage having a manager. It is a BIG job! Really, I am so glad to have all this experience and it does not have me rethinking the dream God placed in me by any means. Sometimes the problems just seem too big. For example, today the housemothers let out all their problems with the Haven, and how it’s run, onto me. They said they’ve been angry with me even though they know I am only doing what Anja has instructed. Those who know me know that I wanted to cry in this moment, but the Lord is my strength, whom shall I fear? He held me up. And when the meeting was over, Grace saw right inside me, as kids are soo good at. She said, “Amanda. Kiss me,” in an urgent voice. She reached up and wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed my cheek. I am telling you, the kisses of children are one of the biggest blessings a girl could ask for! It makes the job worth it! Again I think of Jesus during his time on earth. No wonder he was so set on allowing the little ones to come to him. Everyone else took, took, took, and here the little darlings sat in his lap. Maybe hugged and kissed him or played with his beard or the tie on his robe. I donno. But their presence is my sure reminder that no problem is too big for God because he loves them even more than I do!

And my dear brothers and sisters, I hesitate to write you my prayer requests. I feel the burden and the Holy Spirit constantly reminds me that the heavy one is his, mine is only the light one. But I am so grateful every time you pray. It truly makes a difference. This past week has been full of upheaval and changes and sometimes so stressful. Bethany put to words my exact thoughts (we’ve been finding ourselves doing that alot lately-fun!), she said it’s like tilling the ground for the planting. So I write you more that you might pray and give you also shared answers to prayer and reasons to praise God!

Praises:

The meeting with the Germans, Rose and Margo, was well received.

Progress continues with the Green House.

The older girls wanted to worship Jesus in song so they asked B and I to form a group and we named it Sarah’s Daughters. It was so fun and we sang in front of the congregation at church this morning. I was able to teach the girls from 1 Peter 3 about what makes a woman beautiful and what lasting beauty is. It is neat to watch the instant worth restored when Jesus is the source!

The kids love Bible reading time!

There is almost always at least one child among us who is singing a song of praise to God!

Requests:

For Unity and Peace at the Haven, concerning housemothers as well as fighting among children.

Rose and Margo really need Jesus!

Jefta. He has been having all these strange illnesses like sores on his head and face, voice lost and chest pain. We ran into a woman last week who knew Jefta and knew he had been on anti-HIV medications. In other words, Jefta has AIDS! We will know for sure sure tomorrow when he is tested. This breaks my heart!

Also, many kids at the Haven are breaking out in these fungus-like sores all over their heads. It’s like an epidemic among us! Please pray that God would heal them and give me wisdom on how to get it under control. We go through one tube of medicine in two days and it is expensive.

Desiree is sick again! I think she has asthma, but the doctors say allergies and a cold!

Aussie from the green house promised us seeds, and that he’d come give us another lesson on getting started as well as fix a broken tube. He hasn’t come yet! Pray he comes!

ABOVE ALL PRAY FOR SALVATION FOR ALL CHILDREN. That we’d lay out the gospel crystal clear and that God would give them understanding. The Holy Spirit will do the best translating of all!

“I will not leave you orphans-I will come to you.” –Jesus John 14:15

p.s. Feel free to write me longer notes. I just cut and paste and read it when I am off line. If anyone can tell me some funny things, that’d be great. I love to laugh and haven’t had enough of it in my life! (MaryBeth, Jenni Witte, Yvonne, and Tricia-you are the ones who do it best! But any others I’d love to hear from)