Thoughts...

Here are some things I have been chewing on for a while now...

I think my favorite thing about being here is just getting to sit and hear people's stories. Everyone has a story, both here and back home, and it seems that just about everyone wants someone who will listen. I love to hear about where people come from and what things have happened in their lives to bring them to where they are today. It is also really cool to be able to show people that God also has a story and how they can fit into God's story. Most people have a hard time really understanding how much God does love them and how much He wants to be a part of their story as well. However, it is really amazing to see when people finally do accept God's love for them! They are completely changed by this amazing love that none of us can fully understand!

Last week I went to an AIDS orphanage and spent the day caring for the babies. There were 2 four-month-olds there who they just found out were HIV NEGATIVE!!! This was totally amazing and these babies will probably be adopted!! Also, there was an 11-day-old who was SO precious! He won't be able to be tested for a couple of months because the babies have to be 3 months old to be tested for HIV. I spent most of the day praying that he would not have it. It was really hard to see the other children though, knowing that they will die young because of this disease that was passed to them by their parents. However, I know that my time there just caring for and loving on them will make a difference. I want them to know that God loves them more than anything and that I love them too.

There are so many thing here that are much like home. It is a big city and so much is the same. However, this is still Africa and there are still thousands dying everyday from AIDS. My heart breaks for this place and these people. Why aren't we as the body of Christ doing more for these people? Why is there so much wealth in America while little babies here are dying from preventable diseases? I just can't understand the mindset that we live under. What has gone so wrong in our hearts that we let this happen and then stand by and do virtually NOTHING to help these people? Where are Jesus' hands and feet? How can we sit by and NOT be broken by this? How can I go home in couple of months and resume my normal life while these babies are dying? How can I have been so complacent for so long?