This will make my 6th trip!
It is such a beautiful place, the people, the scenery, the simplicity of life.
It's easy to romanticize a place like this. We see images like these:
I mean look at the gorgeous country side!! The smiling faces, the kids playing!! How could you not??
And while I LOVE these pictures, I absolutely cherish them, this is not the reality that these children live in on a day to day basis.
Look closer. Take the lenses off of your eyes, you know the ones that make everything look a little less like reality? Take the romantics out of the picture.
What do you see?
The first picture has two children running, playing. You may not be able to see it here, but what may surprise you is what they are playing with...a ball made of plastic bags.
Or the second picture, you see children laughing and playing, and they are happy, there is no doubt about it. But take a closer look and you will see they are wearing clothes that are dirty and torn, probably the only clothes they own, and have probably had them for years. Or the fact that the majority of the children seen here aren't wearing shoes.
Let me take you in for an even closer, more intimate view of the children in this village:
This is life for them.
Many of them, especially this time of year in the rainy season, are infected with Malaria.
A treatable, preventable and curable disease that becomes life threatening to these children because of their lack of access to the resources needed to treat them.
These sweet faces, these children of God, are the reason I serve with Healing Faith.
This collage of pictures was put together just a few short days ago. 5 children who were diagnosed in one sitting with this disease. And thankfully, the Lord has blessed Healing Faith with the resources to give these children their lives back! Thankfully the Lord called Jason and Kari to this place!!
I go to play with the children, yes.
I go to help with the testing and treatment of malaria, yes.
But most importantly I go because thru these actions, I am answering the calling to be Jesus' hands and feet in Jinja. To show these children and the men and women in the villages, that Jesus LOVES them so much!!
I get so excited to see Jason teach the little ones bible lessons, and for them to listen and answer questions, and respond with excitement!!! It is amazing to see all that the Lord is doing there. And I am so thankful that I get to witness it, so blessed to be a part of this ministry!!
So today, I challenge you to look for ways to be His hands and feet. To not become stagnant in our ministry to others, for ministry is all around us, it may be here for you, even in your workplace, or He may be calling you to something more!
You may not be called to go, but you could be called to help send those who are working overseas or who are serving right here in your community. Pray about what the Lord would have you do, because we are ALL called to serve others!!
