Here at Last

With heavy eyes, heavy bags, and very tired bodies, we rolled onto campus around midnight on Friday. 

After disappointing setbacks and a few boring days trapped in Michigan with all the snow, we finally made it. 

My first two days were spent relaxing and recovering from jet lag, meeting kids and housemothers, and simply taking it all in. I went to church with Brian and Anita and was so encouraged by it. Their theme for the year is to be difference makers, and I was reminded in the midst of my fears that God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for people who know they are not perfect but are willing to do a perfect job. Many doubts have crept in...feelings of inadequacy mostly. But to be reminded of the omnipotence of God was so refreshing. He planned this long before I could ever imagine it, and he made it just right. 

This morning I met the administrative staff and joined them for devotions. We read about Abraham sacrificing Isaac and were struck again by his great faith and trust. Genesis 22:5 exemplifies it best when Abraham says to his servant, "You wait here. The boy and I are going there to worship, and then we will come back to you."  Even then he knew God must have had another plan. He took Him at His word and knew he was to become a great nation. My roommate Christina (or Terp as we lovingly call her) said that life is like a dance with God. We need to trust that he know what he is doing, and we must let him lead. If we don't, we end up stepping on each other's feet and instead of becoming a thing of grace, beauty, and celebration, it becomes messy, chaotic, and ugly. These next six months are bound to have difficult dances in them, and I don't think I am always going to want to go where He leads, but how good it is to start this journey with that image and goal of obedience in mind. 

Today I was assigned to Pula 1, one of the five baby houses. I met my housemothers, started getting to know my kids, and began the work that will be my life for these six months. It was overwhelming at first. There are a lot of kids, a lot of names I cannot say or remember, and just a lot to take in, but it was good. My heart has already begun melting for those little ones. They love without any hesitation. Though we cannot speak well to each other and we don't even know each other's names, they were so excited to hold my hand, sit in my lap, put their arms up to be held, and give me spitty kisses on the cheek. (The first child I met on Saturday was so excited that she immediately wanted to be held, and then proceeded to pee on me. Initiation is complete.) Everyone has been so welcoming, so joyous. The children are beautiful and happy. Their laughter is like the brilliance of sunshine. It warms your very soul. 

Thank you all who are praying. I am so touched by the support I have been given. My hope is to write once or twice a week. 

With much love...