Actually from 3-17-10... the last one was from 3-16-10... oops!

This morning (Wednesday) we finished working on the supply rooms. It felt so good to finish what we’d started. Like we really accomplished something here. There have been so many things going on here, it is hard to start something and finish it completely. But, we did it!!! And we were appreciated so greatly! Brad and Vanessa Johnson and Otis Garrison have all expressed their thanks for all our team has done. That is so wonderful to hear.
That made me smile.
Once the supply rooms had been finished, our group split up. We continued to work with the Indiana team. Some of us came up to Maggie’s Kitchen at the top of the road to the Village of Hope. VOH is the expansion of the Hope House orphanage. I don’t remember if I said this before or not, so I will explain. The HH has over 60 children now and the mission wants to expand to more than 200 children. There are several long houses that are split into 4-plexes so the children can be separated by age. Maggie is a girl who came to live at the mission years ago. She had been brutally beaten, sexually abused and left in a trash heap on the side of the road. Maggie had some physical handicaps, but was loved by everyone here at the mission. About a year ago or so she got sick and went home to be with Jesus. That is why it is called Maggie’s Kitchen.
But I can still smile.
The rest of the group went down to lay foundation for a new guest house. Sergio and George had a blast! They ended up mixing and pouring cement with two Philadelphia Eagles players. Wow! The players were here to help with their team chaplain and their pastor. Pretty cool!!!
When Patrick gave one of the players a hard time for losing to UT when he played for USC, it made me smile.
This afternoon we went to Titanyen. This is the village where Jude lives, the boy I sponsor. The earthquake caused some serious damage there. This village is very close to the mission. We looked at houses that had been reduced to piles of rubble. We sang songs with the village kids and read a story about how God made the world.
I just kept smiling.
This afternoon we spent time at the Hope House. The kids made Thank You cards for a group of little girls who gathered craft materials for them. Then, we broke the kids up into two age groups: 9 and under & 10+. The 10+ kids had a huge kick ball game and the 9 and under kids had “stations.” There were different things for them to do: clothes try-on relay, four square game, frisbee toss and and adorable attempt at basketball. The kids had a blast. Many of them have worked so hard to help and keep things going here at the mission. Some of the older teenagers have been interpreting, the younger kids have been helping with their little hands and feet. They have been so helpful to us.
Watching them have fun made me smile.
There is a reoccurring theme here. Smiling. I can’t believe I could just keep smiling. But, I could. And I did. And I will. I will smile because there is HOPE in my heart! There is HOPE for these people who are close to this mission! There is HOPE for this country! There is HOPE for this island! There is HOPE for this world!
There is HOPE in Jesus! There is HOPE!!!
And even when this world doesn’t get it, there is HOPE!
And even when I can’t seem to get it right, there is HOPE!
And even when other people let me down, there is HOPE!
I am beginning to feel comfortable in that for the very first time in my life.
It has been too long since I took a serious inventory of me! But, my inventory is being updated. And it feels good.
All too often I have felt “unworthy” of Christ’s blood, love and grace.
But, not today.
I am WHOLE because of that blood, love and grace.
I can WALK in truth because of that blood, love and grace.
I can WIN the race because of that blood, love and grace.
Praise the Lord!!!
And to add the icing on the cake, I have learned that you can love someone more every day. You really, really can! And I know now that long ago, God knew that Patrick would be my husband. I was made just for him and I am continuing to be molded just for him. And he for me.
This trip has taught me so much! And I know there will be amazing testimonies from all of the people in the team!
Friends, get ready!!! ‘Cause we’re coming home and we’re on FIRE!!!
Thank you again for your prayers and your generous support!!!
p.s. We will be heading to the beach tomorrow (Thursday) morning for our beach day! Patrick and I will be renewing our vows at the beach where I wanted to get married. Such a beautiful place!!! It will be a nice time and I cannot wait to spend time having time with the team! Woo Hoo!!!
p.s.s. Phyllis: Lindsay wasn’t wearing lip gloss when she met “the doctor.” But, in her defense, it was 10p!