"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." ~Matthew 5:16
As many of you know, this summer I had an amazing opportunity to visit and orphanage in China and love on the children there. I had such an incredible time that when people ask me how my trip went, all I can say is that it was beyond amazing. That's the best I can come up with, because I can't put into words how much of a blessing it was to be able to go and ge to know those children and love on them. The last day we were there we were able to talk with the director of the orphanage and she said that she was so glad we got to come and visit because she said that even in the short period of time that we'd been there, she'd seen how much they had changed and she said that she could tell that we'd shown them how to love. I remember the feeling of being in that moment and only being able to think one thing when she said that: "Thank you Lord. This is the real reason we came here... to show them love, YOUR love." We were all so sad to leave... and I know we were all changed from those little kids drastically.
BUT, I also had this great opportunity a few weeks after I got back to do almost the same thing in my own community. My church has a ministry called 10 Days, where they go on mission trips all around the world for 10 Days... but we did their first local mission trip here, in a small community about 5 minutes away from me. We set up camps for kids Monday-Friday in a park that we literally in their backyard. We had everything from music, dance, glamour tent, sports, and even a carnival one day for these kids, and supplied dinner for the kids and their families at night.
I was there everyday hanging out with the kids and making new friends. It was really cool to be able to see the kids come back day after day, bringing their friends and having a great time. I had a fantastic time, and I know they did too.
Something really amazing though was that I made friends with these two little girls, Cassandra (9) and Emily (8). Everyday they'd find me and we'd go and hang out... They are both such funny girls with sweet spirits and I love them so much. I was able to lead sweet Emily to Christ though, which was such a great blessing.
Towards the end of the week Emily came up to me and told me she was really sad because her sister's best friend (who had been living with them) had just passed away the night before in a motorcycle accident while she was on vacation. We talked to my mom and we were able to pray with her. After, we were walking and she says to me "I wanna go meet him" pointing to my pastor. So I walk up and introduce them and she tells my pastor about her friend. He ended up telling her that she may be able to see her again, and asking her if she wanted Jesus to be Lord and Savior of her life. The whole time he's talking to her, I'm sitting there shaking, because I know what's coming next. Just as she answers yes he says, "Well alright great. Megan here was just about to lead you in prayer to ask Jesus into your life." Haha. I can feel my heart pounding out of my chest as I'm freaking out here. But, nonetheless I did pray with her, and it ended up being great. She was so happy! We walked away and she right away says to me, "Let's go on the merry-go-round." even though she knew I got sick on it... and I told her that and she says, "It's okay! I'll pray for you! Dear Jesus, I pray that Megan will be able to ride on the merry-go-round without getting sick and have a good time. Amen. Let's go!" How can you say no to that? haha.
Anyways, that was my great experience. Even though I was nervous then, I'm glad my pastor pushed me... otherwise I would've let that opportunity to slip through my fingers.
The cool thing is though, I was able to change the lives of children in two different places--in China, and here in Franklin. I know you always grow up in church hear about things like this, but for me, it became so real. It doesn't matter where you go or who you meet, there is an opportunity waiting for you. You're everyday life can be a mission field. Anyone can be waiting for you to reach out to them. Whether its the kids in your class, the people you work with, or the grumpy old neighbor that lives down the street... there's always an opportunity. You just have to watch out for it, and you DON'T have to wait around for another whole big 'trip' for you to get out there and share Jesus' love. :)
We've sinse then had people talk about how much they've enjoyed our 10 Days 'trip' here. The cool thing is, that the communication doesn't stop when the trip is done like international trips do. There were so many people within our church that made relationships with these kids and their parents that they got email addresses and phone numbers from them. We still have contact from them, and many of the people have been coming to our church now, including Emily and her family. I've even signed up to work at the Boys and Girl's club where most of the children that came to the park go as an after-school program (which I was supposed to start today but because I'm sick I couldn't). I personally think it's pretty cool... because when I left China, I wanted more. I didn't want to leave those precious children--but here, I don't have to. I still have contact with them which I love:)
(Don't get me wrong, I LOVE international mission trips, and there is a need for them, but these are just some of the benefits of a local one. And sometimes people don't have the time/money to go on an international trip, so local ones are perfect for you...:)
Anyways, I've been meaning to post something about both my trips, but just haven't had time. I hope this gives you a little bit of an insight to how amazing my summer was:))
As many of you know, this summer I had an amazing opportunity to visit and orphanage in China and love on the children there. I had such an incredible time that when people ask me how my trip went, all I can say is that it was beyond amazing. That's the best I can come up with, because I can't put into words how much of a blessing it was to be able to go and ge to know those children and love on them. The last day we were there we were able to talk with the director of the orphanage and she said that she was so glad we got to come and visit because she said that even in the short period of time that we'd been there, she'd seen how much they had changed and she said that she could tell that we'd shown them how to love. I remember the feeling of being in that moment and only being able to think one thing when she said that: "Thank you Lord. This is the real reason we came here... to show them love, YOUR love." We were all so sad to leave... and I know we were all changed from those little kids drastically.
BUT, I also had this great opportunity a few weeks after I got back to do almost the same thing in my own community. My church has a ministry called 10 Days, where they go on mission trips all around the world for 10 Days... but we did their first local mission trip here, in a small community about 5 minutes away from me. We set up camps for kids Monday-Friday in a park that we literally in their backyard. We had everything from music, dance, glamour tent, sports, and even a carnival one day for these kids, and supplied dinner for the kids and their families at night.
I was there everyday hanging out with the kids and making new friends. It was really cool to be able to see the kids come back day after day, bringing their friends and having a great time. I had a fantastic time, and I know they did too.
Something really amazing though was that I made friends with these two little girls, Cassandra (9) and Emily (8). Everyday they'd find me and we'd go and hang out... They are both such funny girls with sweet spirits and I love them so much. I was able to lead sweet Emily to Christ though, which was such a great blessing.
Towards the end of the week Emily came up to me and told me she was really sad because her sister's best friend (who had been living with them) had just passed away the night before in a motorcycle accident while she was on vacation. We talked to my mom and we were able to pray with her. After, we were walking and she says to me "I wanna go meet him" pointing to my pastor. So I walk up and introduce them and she tells my pastor about her friend. He ended up telling her that she may be able to see her again, and asking her if she wanted Jesus to be Lord and Savior of her life. The whole time he's talking to her, I'm sitting there shaking, because I know what's coming next. Just as she answers yes he says, "Well alright great. Megan here was just about to lead you in prayer to ask Jesus into your life." Haha. I can feel my heart pounding out of my chest as I'm freaking out here. But, nonetheless I did pray with her, and it ended up being great. She was so happy! We walked away and she right away says to me, "Let's go on the merry-go-round." even though she knew I got sick on it... and I told her that and she says, "It's okay! I'll pray for you! Dear Jesus, I pray that Megan will be able to ride on the merry-go-round without getting sick and have a good time. Amen. Let's go!" How can you say no to that? haha.
Anyways, that was my great experience. Even though I was nervous then, I'm glad my pastor pushed me... otherwise I would've let that opportunity to slip through my fingers.
The cool thing is though, I was able to change the lives of children in two different places--in China, and here in Franklin. I know you always grow up in church hear about things like this, but for me, it became so real. It doesn't matter where you go or who you meet, there is an opportunity waiting for you. You're everyday life can be a mission field. Anyone can be waiting for you to reach out to them. Whether its the kids in your class, the people you work with, or the grumpy old neighbor that lives down the street... there's always an opportunity. You just have to watch out for it, and you DON'T have to wait around for another whole big 'trip' for you to get out there and share Jesus' love. :)
We've sinse then had people talk about how much they've enjoyed our 10 Days 'trip' here. The cool thing is, that the communication doesn't stop when the trip is done like international trips do. There were so many people within our church that made relationships with these kids and their parents that they got email addresses and phone numbers from them. We still have contact from them, and many of the people have been coming to our church now, including Emily and her family. I've even signed up to work at the Boys and Girl's club where most of the children that came to the park go as an after-school program (which I was supposed to start today but because I'm sick I couldn't). I personally think it's pretty cool... because when I left China, I wanted more. I didn't want to leave those precious children--but here, I don't have to. I still have contact with them which I love:)
(Don't get me wrong, I LOVE international mission trips, and there is a need for them, but these are just some of the benefits of a local one. And sometimes people don't have the time/money to go on an international trip, so local ones are perfect for you...:)
Anyways, I've been meaning to post something about both my trips, but just haven't had time. I hope this gives you a little bit of an insight to how amazing my summer was:))
