It's been a tough but amazing first week- and there is just so much to take in each day. I can see the children opening up to me each day, and I truly thank God for that.
I can honestly say- that it's tough. It's not easy- Jimmy, Charlie, and I get worked to the bones- but at the same time, it's such an honor to see how God moves in this children's home.
For the past few days, we've been doing nonstop admin work- (definitely not a gift of mine- nor do I have the patience for it) because there is going to be an annual inspection tomorrow (Thursday).
what is this you ask? this is our pride and joy.... HAHA no, it's a year's worth of the home's spendings- on paper. -_- This place just loves to do everything oldschool- we had to holepunch each page, bind them together with string, (i know.. WHAT?) and then make a cover for it.... i thought only hipsters do it the non mainstream way (a binder or at least an organized file cabinet) but nope. MyeongJin loves to keep it...original... but no complaining! it was honestly easier to do tedious tasks throughout the day than waiting around doing nothing until the kids get back from school. it's a blessing to serve- always.
I've also been cleaning a lot. If you guys know me well enough, I'm almost obsessive over clutter. I just... what. can't.
Anyway.
I've strategically started to get to know the younger children first. I started in room 104- the babies-elementary room. All of them are so precious..goodness. I want to give them the world. The love that pours out from me can only be from God- because it's so easy to not love these kids. The babies give attitude, lack basic morals, hit you, and can be really....dirty..HAHA but they're so pure, so in need of love and affection, that I've been learning to see them through the heart of the Father. He loves them so much- His heart is for them and only His love can make a difference.
This is Jee-Hool. When I first met him, he just constantly screamed at me to "GET OUT! " or "NO! GO AWAY!" He is also extremely aggressive, that one of the other kids had to move to a different room. He constantly bit and hit him. He's hit me a couple times too haha- but I have such a heart for him.. because at one point of my life- I was extremely aggressive too- and it was because I felt that I lacked the love that I wanted so badly and needed from my own dad. Aggression was an outlet for me, and it's clear that it's an outlet for him too. I've been interceding for him whenever I see him hit someone or throw a fit.
Now, whenever I see him and call his name- he gives me a HUGE, warm, irresistible smile. :') It's only been 5 days and he is already opening up to me. He sits on my lap all the time, and he asks me to pick him up :) hehehehe AHHHHH i love him so much.
+Please continue to pray that he sees God's love for him through me. Pray that he will be raised up not into a violent man, but into a man that is full of compassion and kindness.
Speaking of the kid Jee-Hool kept biting and hitting;
This is Eun-Chong. He's such a sweetie- but always cried when I first met him and tried to carry or talk to him. HAHAHA But now, he runs to me and smiles when he sees me :) (he's even playing footsiez with me... ) So thankful and blessed. He's definitely loved here at MyeongJin.
+Pray that he grows up to love the Lord.
Here are some other pictures to show what we've been doing:
This picture was actually taken the first day we moved in- we took a group of boys to an arcade!
This is Jimmy from Virginia!! With a precious and affectionate girl named Geun-Young. She's. so. friggin. cute.
The boys took us to a field so we can all play soccer :)
This picture was from last night! Iran VS. Korea.... disappointing loss... but good bonding time with the boys!
This is Ji-Min. And he's one of the few kids that actually know my name.. hahaha so precious. We only see him every once in a while, but he loves to "help out" with our admin work :)
As a reward for our hard admin work, the gwajangneem gave us the keys to the music room. We had a jam sesh- Artha, if you're reading this (probably not), this is my time to practice guitar!!! hahahaha...sike..barely...
+Please continue to pray for Jimmy, Charlie, and me! We are definitely bonding- but it's still taking time... maybe because they're guys and I'm the only girl? But they don't really open up.. HAHAHA but I love our QT times together in the morning. We pray together, read the Word together, and encourage one another. It's the QT times that keep me going.
I'll end in this precious picture:
We have one disabled child in this home. His mother was an alcoholic, so he is extremely skinny, underdeveloped, and fraile. He's four years old, but he's the size of a 2 year old. It breaks my heart every time I see him, but I know he is loved here. He ALWAYS smiling. It's so beautiful because everyone in this room takes care of him. This is Hyun-Jung feeding him yogurt :) She's only 2! But she's taking care of her oppah! This picture makes me smile for so many reasons.
Love these kids. Love them so much. I pray for more times of ministering, and for God to simply reveal His love for them through me, Jimmy, and Charlie.
+Please continue to pray for boldness. We need boldness and patience. Boldness to speak to the children and to get to know them and patience for His perfect timing.
Bless the Lord, oh my soul.
He is so faithful, so loving.
Thank You.
Awesome stuff, Irene! I'll be following along religiously! :)
ReplyDelete