It's hard to process it all, and I barely have much time left.
But there was an important incident that kind of sums up the reason why I came to this home to begin with.
I've entered the home thinking,
"I'm gonna share my testimony and the Gospel to every child, and they will be transformed before my own eyes!!"
haha. I guess I forgot about the building relationships, shepherding, and loving part.
I was talking to Jee, and she shared about her first time sharing the Gospel with one of the kids in the home. She emphasized the importance of making it personal for them- and that it's the most essential factor of telling them about God.
I've made it a personal goal to share my testimony and the Gospel with at least ONE child in the home. I also assumed that it would be one of the older girls.
I said one child in fear of disappointment as if I wouldn't be able to share my story to anyone at all.
and then God said,
"Why just one? Is that how much you think your testimony is worth?"
I answered,
"These kids already have their own stories- probably worse than mine. What could my story possibly do?"
He answered,
"Just wait."
and I waited. for the first 1 3/4 months, I didn't talk about myself, God, or anything related to the Gospel. I just got to know the kids, loved on them, and scolded them if they went away from basic morals.
I was getting anxious; Lord, I'm leaving in about 20 days. Am I making an impact?
"Just wait."
Lord, I'm leaving in 15 days. What difference am I making here?"
"A little bit more."
And on August 1, my English class girls and I had a sleepover in my room.
At around 1:00AM, we were just laying down, talking about whatever.
Somehow, the girls started to talk about their families.
I was listening, absorbing in their stories, and trying to see life in their shoes. So young, so pure, but their hearts are already scarred by the failure of worldly love from their parents.
"Now. The time is now."
"Ae-duel-ah...Do you guys believe in Jesus?"
Miran and Sungyeon said Yes in a dreaded-I-don't-want-to-talk-about-this-tone.
Soojin said, "I want to believe in Jesus."
"Do you guys REALLY believe in Jesus? Do you guys understand how much He loves you?"
"No."
I went on and shared a very basic version of my testimony- I made sure that they understood that I know a good glimpse of what they went through. That I wouldn't be here at MyeongJin if it weren't for God.
Soojin went on to ask about why there was a Jesus and a God, but no mom. (These kids tend to relate family with a lot of things) I went on to explain a very basic timeline of how we sinned and God became incarnate- to die for us- because He loves us.
Miran started to talk about her family- how her family is broken, and that she wants her sisters to believe in Jesus.
Soojin shared that she never knew either of her parents. And that they're lousy for leaving her at such a young age. She then shared about her love for Jeenie umma (a dorm mom in this home), but how she wished she had a dad.
I went on and told her, "God is the best dad you will ever have. He's always with you, watching over you, and won't fail like a worldly father."
She smiled and said, "Then I have a mom AND a dad! God is my dad! I'm so lucky!"
I wanted to cry. God not only answered my prayer with one child, but with three.
"Your testimony is planting seeds in their souls. Your story is worth a child spending an eternity with me."
God is so faithful. He made sure that I knew them well enough and prepared them to take in the Gospel through me. And I know that these kids will still struggle with faith, live as if they don't know God, and even back-slide until who knows how long, but there is that divine security of knowing that there IS a God that loves them and has been with them even before they were born.
Sungyeon
Soojin
Miran
Sadly Moobie was asleep. HAHA
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Other than that, my last few weeks here consisted of back to back camps.
I can't say I got to know a lot of them, because they were mostly older and closed off. But I can say that they're way more comfortable around me- and that older girls are tough to work with. HA.
The first camp I went to was with the older guys!
The youngins actin all cute
Hyojean; our soccer superstar
Jee- my rock and my greatest helper throughout my stay here; I do NOT know what I would have done without her. hahahahaha I'd probably be a bigger mess than I already am.
One of many rounds of Mafia.. HAHAHA
Korea's rivers are so refreshing and cool. Love it
I do not have any pictures from the girl's camp.... but it consisted of nonstop eating and Go-Stop. HAHAHAHAHA good times.
So thankful for such a good Daddy.
