Q&A Part Two

My second questions to Amy was how to deal with the heartache.  I know I've mentioned it in prior posts how much I am struggling with knowing the heartache and hurt of others that I'll be exposed to while I am there.  I will honestly admit that is my biggest struggle.  I can deal with the heat and new foods and stuff like that - I can deal with the dirt and mud and gunk.  But how do you cope when you see people in situations like this.  Amy sent the following e-mail that I refer to often when I feel like I won't be able to cope:

HEARTACHE:


There is just no way to prepare for the heartache.

I guess the thing to remember is this: You will see living conditions that are beyond comprehension. You will feel so sorry for these people. You’ll feel like crying and will want to shake your head, thinking how unfair this is for these people to have to live this way. AND YOU WILL BE RIGHT IN THINKING ALL OF THAT. However, it is important to remember that this is all these people know and to them, this is “normal”. They want to feel a certain sense of pride when they welcome you into their country and perhaps into their home. In general, they do not want our pity, but they do need us to teach them about Jesus and how Jesus can get them through any circumstance, no matter how ugly/impossible/difficult it may be.

Some people will try to get you to give them money and will play on your sympathy and you just cannot give them ANYTHING personal (including money). If you do, the whole village finds out and you’re instantly bombarded by dozens if not more people all wanting what you gave to the first person.

You will see hungry babies and children, some of whom are sick and very possibly homeless due to their parents dying of AIDS. HIV is rampant in that part of the world due to lack of education regarding prevention (abstinence, monogamous relationships, “safe sex”, not sharing needles, you know the drill). We will see people who are very obviously ill with HIV/AIDS and that will be heartbreaking. Seeing hungry people is also very heartbreaking.

There really aren’t any good answers or ways in which to prepare your heart and mind for what you will see except to PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! God will make sure you are in the right places at the right times in the right circumstances to serve in the ways HE has planned. Just keep that in mind. All you have to do is GO. God will be guiding you every single step of the way and it is absolutely AMAZING to FEEL HIS PRESENCE FOR SUCH AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME such as when on a mission trip. I cannot wait for you guys to have this experience.

Wow...what an amazing response.  Everytime I read it I can feel God saying "trust me... just trust me" - these children are His as well and he loves them.  And who is to say that since we have more stuff that we are any better off than they are.  I want to share a picture of that one of the Compassions International bloggers took while in the Mathare Valley:

Do I have that kind of faith?  Or do I bellyache over the little things in life?  He is with them there...always. 

My 10 day trip isn't going to change anything.  Sure it'll help in ways that I may never know - my prayer is that maybe God will use me to show His love...to be His hands.  But I truly think that God will be showing His love to me through them....and will be using them to be His hands to change me. 

May I never be the same again.