Keeping Your Eyes Open

Hello everyone! I'd like to tell you about Dunia.  Dunia is a little girl I have met here that has stolen my heart. She is one of the youngest girls here and she is sassy! 

Matter a beautiful ferry ride across the lake, and a very "buggy" bus ride we arrived and were greeted by lots of hugs from the kids! We made it time for a fiesta they were having to celebrate "The week of the Child." The fiesta is where I met Dunia. At first it was just looks across the dance floor during the folk dances, but then she came over after the piñata was broken and gave me some candy. We spent the rest of the fiesta dancing with her new baby doll. 

This is what I mean when I say sassy. Later that evening we had a tour I accidentally held Angie's hand instead of hers. She spent the whole tour jumping to the next corner so she could wait with her hands crosses to give me a pouty look. When she felt satisfied I had seen it she would run ahead and wait again! Thankfully, she got over it and came and gave me an hug and kiss good night!

The next day was the beginning of ministry, I was on the painting team with Emily. It was really interesting trying to recieve instructions of what color to paint when you don't speak the language, but we are all learning fast. I started out really excited but found my self getting discouraged and down. At the time I couldn't figure out why I was so upset but in hindsight I realize my expectations were destroying me. Even though at training camp I had learned years worth of wisdom, I still did not let go of my expectations. I was expecting God to teach me lessons constantly and in big dramatic, never before experienced ways; instead I was painting a wall.

The only part of that day that I wasn't down was my time with Dunia where we went down the catch the baby frogs that were transforming before my eyes from the thousands in the lake. She liked to name them and dance with them, and even kiss them! She also likes to put them down my shirt and in my belly button to hide them during dinner! We played all night, but when she finally had to go, not willingly, and there was no child to pour into, I was down again.

The next day, yesterday, went about the same way. However I was a little more frustrated as to why God wasn't talking to me. At team time we did and excerise of asking God what he wanted our sisters to hear. We did it anaymously so you didn't know who you were asking about or writing for. Ashley handed it to me. The words couldn't have been anymore perfect. There was much on the card but the phrase that stuck out was "you are mine I haven't forgotten you, I have so much for you…" I found so much encouragement in the truth of those words. 

That could have been enough right there but as God usually does, he gave me more than I deserve! Later after movie night and more dancing and cuddling with Dunya we had two of the women that work here come share testimonies and tell us about some ministry we will be doing for two weeks on different parts of the island. The people that work here are amazing and have heart wrenching stories of God's work in their lives! It was listening to their stories that I shamefully realized how narrow minded I was being. I thought the children here were the only ministry, so that's all i would pour into, but there is so much more! By seeing these women there victories and their needs I saw that I was becoming discouraged because of my lack of seeing all that was around me opportunities, needs,blessings, and even the AMAZING women on my team. i will be spending the rest of my time here with truly open eyes to everything God wants me to do and do in my life. All is well on the island, God bless!!