Today I have been given a gift! I have been given such a beautiful picture of the power behind serving as a body! I am so proud pf everyone!
We are starting a youth group and last week was supposed to be our first meeting. Due to rain it had to be post poned untill this Friday. Can't wait to hit the groung running and stay open to what that's supposed to look like. Harry and I both have Young Life background, so our first meeting naturally looks a bit like "club". Will keep you posted! Last week, kids started to stay after school to “talk”. Many are opening up about their family lives, and why they are behaving the way they do. Although so many days are challenging at school, thank you for your prayers! The Lord is breaking down so many walls and I know that will only continue! I love them and am crazy thankful for who they are!
This is just a tiny glimpse of big picture what all God is stirring up, providing for, and making happen. Keep praying that his kingdom would come to earth as it is in heaven! Be reminded that whether you work at a hotel, in the hospital, a lab, cubicle, school- wherever you are and whatever you are doing… you have an amazing gift to give! Investing in lives, changes lives! I am so thankful for every one who has taken time to believe in me and invest in me over the years. SO many come to mind :) Thank you!!!
Yesterday, Zach, Amber, and Jessica stood in front of church leading worship. I loved the freedom I experienced just to sing genuine praise to God, and then look around and realize so many were experiencing the same thing. What an amazing sound, just like we are joining the heavenly angels. Proud of you guys, what a gift to share!
Harry got to know and invest in some really set apart guys from the French Harbourlast year. It has been such a blessing to watch the huge impact he has already had over their lives and the exciting part is that is only continuing to grow! They are so alive with personality! These guys are known by everyone on the island for two reasons; because they are good with people, but also due to extreme poverty they have to find a way to have every need met by themselves. The guys range from 13 to 17 years old, and the highest grade reached is 5th (some are still in 2nd). They don’t have parents at home encouraging them and speaking truth into their lives. The Lord has better for them however, these boys are being loved on, they are getting glimpses of the Lord’s heart for them! A friend gave Harry a key to his office so that we can tutor them! Traditions Harry started last year are carrying on. Sundays they come over as a safe get away, where they fish, cook, relax, dance, goof off, and read. It’s so fun to simply walk with people! This morning Harry, Kelly, and I got the precious gift to take 3 of the boys ( Pablo, Memphi, and Gos) to Clinic Esperanza, where they got their teeth cleaned for the first time! They each have cavities that have either already destroyed teeth, or were heading in that direction. I literally had a tear in my eye as I rubbed their arms, warming them up and sitting with them while Dr. Sanchez worked his wonders on them. Growing up I didn’t think twice about having parents that would bend over backwards to make sure that I was taken care of in every way, but I know that I am beyond blessed! These boys mothers have never had the means to take them to be cared for, and their fathers aren’t present. I am so thankful that today they were reminded their worth, that the Lord’s thoughts over them outweigh the grains of the sand, and that they are precious children of a loving Father. They already had glowing smiles, but now they are excited to have radiant smiles without dark holes all over! It will take a few more visits to fix all the cavities, but this is an amazing start to healthy mouths :)
Ms. Peggy had a vision about 10 years ago to start a health clinic that would reach the community and it is doing exactly that! That vision is being carried out by volunteers year round who serve faithfully, while only charging about $2 per visit. To see all the people lined up at the door at 7am gave a sweet glimpse of daily life at the clinic. I was so encouraged to watch my friend John, and so many others work so hard and enthusiastically behind the scenes to make this possible. About 50 people per day walk in and leave helped/ healed/ and loved on! That is HUGE! I am thankful for my sister and brothers like Ms. Peggy who believe and trust that Jesus is who is says is, and because of that the provision of the Lord is visible daily!
Ms. Peggy had a vision about 10 years ago to start a health clinic that would reach the community and it is doing exactly that! That vision is being carried out by volunteers year round who serve faithfully, while only charging about $2 per visit. To see all the people lined up at the door at 7am gave a sweet glimpse of daily life at the clinic. I was so encouraged to watch my friend John, and so many others work so hard and enthusiastically behind the scenes to make this possible. About 50 people per day walk in and leave helped/ healed/ and loved on! That is HUGE! I am thankful for my sister and brothers like Ms. Peggy who believe and trust that Jesus is who is says is, and because of that the provision of the Lord is visible daily!
Harry ( the pioneer), Kelly (the spanish queen), and Zach (photographer extra-ordinare) got to go back to the doughnut girls house, where it is looking promising that support is coming to bring together the troops to build a home for these girls and their families. Pray that this family would be left in awe over the Lord’s provision for them! I can’t wait to see all the details of what God is working out! Also, I got to spend the afternoon with beautiful Miss Kendall at the orphanage she lives/works/ and volunteers at. I am so thankful that I get to watch the ways the kids respect her and soak up the fact that the way she loves them is different, her joy is different, and her life is completely different! The Lord told Kendall to take time off of school, which she thought was crazy at the time but she was obedient! In her obedience these orphans are discovering that whats different about her, what compels her to love them is the way she has experienced the Lord’s love in her own life. Once you experience it, you just can’t hold it in! I am loving a way to get to be involved with this ministry and to get to visually watch these kids grow, and be healed from crazy scars from the past. Kendall is walking with them towards the freedom that God provides. We got to tutor beautiful Destiny today, and at age 7 we are starting with shapes and colors. I see Jesus’ face so clearly in these kids, words just don’t come close to describing it! Thank you Kendall for daily surrendering the details of your life and just be willing to GO!
We are starting a youth group and last week was supposed to be our first meeting. Due to rain it had to be post poned untill this Friday. Can't wait to hit the groung running and stay open to what that's supposed to look like. Harry and I both have Young Life background, so our first meeting naturally looks a bit like "club". Will keep you posted! Last week, kids started to stay after school to “talk”. Many are opening up about their family lives, and why they are behaving the way they do. Although so many days are challenging at school, thank you for your prayers! The Lord is breaking down so many walls and I know that will only continue! I love them and am crazy thankful for who they are!
This is just a tiny glimpse of big picture what all God is stirring up, providing for, and making happen. Keep praying that his kingdom would come to earth as it is in heaven! Be reminded that whether you work at a hotel, in the hospital, a lab, cubicle, school- wherever you are and whatever you are doing… you have an amazing gift to give! Investing in lives, changes lives! I am so thankful for every one who has taken time to believe in me and invest in me over the years. SO many come to mind :) Thank you!!!
Normally I don't ask this, but if ever you feel led to invest in or bless any of these people or ministries please email me at erinepayne@gmail.com. I know often our heart desires to give but we are not sure of good places to pour into, these are some beautiful people worthy to be loved on!
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