Friday, July 15, 2011

Refugees

I've been learning so much, I feel like I could write a book. I think the loudest piece of wisdom I've been hearing is that the things I do don't matter as much as having the right heart first. The past couple of days we spent time near the border of Myanmar and Thailand. We got to spend some time at an IDP camp for orphans. I'd say there were 20-30 kids there and about 5 adults including their teachers there to care for them. After spending only a couple hours with them, and eat their delicious food harvested in the jungle, we spent some time praying for the kids and then Hearing the stories of two of the girls. Their stories were tragic. One girl had to sleep in the jungle every night to run away from the junta and walk three days to get to the refugee camp. The other girl's father had died while stepping on a land mine. She wasn't even sure of her age. Of course those things are so hard to hear. Sometimes all I want to do is rescue kids like this and hug them forever. But even after their stories, both girls were smiling. This camp was beautiful, in the middle of the jungle surrounded by green, mist and mountains. Even more beautiful was the community they lived in. All the babies being looked after by everyone. Everything was shared. It's easy to see that these girls had hope and hope is healing their lives. I know they have more needs still. The organization can't afford to send the older ones to school. Most of the shelters don't have walls. But beautiful things are happening there. It makes me think, when hearing people's stories and deciding how to help, I really need to pay closer attention to what God is already doing.

1 comment:

  1. Glad to hear how God is growing you and challenging you. That's a good reminder too -- sometimes I am so busy asking him to do something, I miss what he's doing right in front of me.

    Praying for all of you.

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