ABC Use Me

I can't imagine how to put this week into words that would be adequate. I had this vision of walking into Tuscaloosa and helping people with the wreckage, pulling up debris, searching for sentimental items in destroyed houses. It didn't happen like that at all. I got to serve, to be a part of a family, to see 60 children become my brothers and sisters. Our fun VBS song "You're my brother, sister, friend..." became a reality.

I've been to the other side of the world. I've seen pictures of the dying in Africa. I feel their pain in my heart. And I've always longed to "GO" and make the world better, to somehow do something about it. But this past week, I went two hours away and saw "war zone footage" right in front of me. It's easy enough to close your eyes to the devestation from all of the natural disasters lately. It's easy enough to pretend like my life has nothing to do with that, to send up a quick prayer of thanks and move on like nothing happened. But it did. And it brought me to a neighborhood of children that are ignored and cast out. Precious children that long for a hug or someone to tell them "no" (and really stick by it) just one time.

These precious babies, as well as young ladies and men who are almost grown, are living on water that is still contaminated from the April 27th storms. These wonderful babies had to sit and watch the tornado come across the end of their road, and now are frightened out of their minds when it gets stormy. I can't explain how much I fell in love with them, here, in Alabama. The unwanteds. Jesus, please stick by my new friends. Please be their support.

1 Thes 3:10 Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith. 11 Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you. 12 May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 13 May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.