Footprints Blog

Dear Friends,

Thank you so much for all your prayers and attention. Adjusting to a new place has been challenging, but your faithfulness and partnership is such an encouragement.

In some ways, I was able to jump right in with the girls as soon as I arrived here. We have been doing morning devotions together and I have enjoyed doing chores with them and helping with English and math. By being here at the orphanage the girls are able to attend school. Their physical needs are being provided for and they are also learning the practical skills they will need to run their own homes in the future. However, life outside the structure of family is very different. So a big part of my adjustment here has been listening to their stories, asking questions, and trying to discern how to minister to the unique needs in their lives.

One thing we have really enjoyed doing together is playing the guitar. I had never really learned to play apart from the most basic chords; I was always quickly deterred by sore finger tips and reverted back to the piano, but a few weeks ago I was able to buy a guitar, and it has been fun to figure it out and help the girls pick it up too. It has already gotten much use.

While reading the book Uprising by Erwin McManus, I was challenged by the chapter on faithfulness. We often think in terms of having faith, but the author emphasizes being faithful in the tasks before us, whether or not they seem significant. We discover the beauty of God’s plan for our lives by having faith that God will work in great ways, but also by being faithful in what is set before us.

Over this past month here, I have sometimes questioned my effectiveness with the girls and have been tempted to worry about future plans. What an encouragement to know that what God asks for is faithfulness. Faithfulness to spend time with him, faithfulness to communicate to him our dependence on his wisdom and strength, faithfulness to act in love, faithfulness to make the most of each opportunity throughout the day. If we are faithful in these things, God is honoured, our character is refined, and we learn to walk according to His will. I love the challenge and the promise of Psalm 37:5 “Commit your way to the LORD, trust in Him, and He will act.”

I must persevere in language. Living with junior high girls and leading devotions has been expanding my vocabulary in every direction from “nail polish” to “steadfast love” but there are frequently, still times when I feel like I’m fumbling for words. Thankfully I have remained healthy during this transition.

Shari