We thoroughly enjoyed ministering to eleven girls (ages 5 to 13) from the girls’ home that we mentioned. They had so much fun with us. We went to Faith Academy on Tuesday, December 17, and a waterfall on Wednesday, December 18. Faith Academy let us use their facilities for free. Plus we were able to help financially with some of the food, snacks, and desserts for both days and the entrance fees to the falls on the second day. The girls were ready for an adventure and were so well behaved and appreciative.
Tuesday morning, the girls simply played at the playground. Some of the girls played with the balls that I provided, i.e., four square, basketball, and soccer. For lunch we let them relax in the Middle School Lounge. After lunch, I read them a story while each girl made Cheryl and me a card. After resting, we took them to our swimming pool for the whole afternoon. Most of them are not strong swimmers, so I gave some of them swimming lessons. It was fun watching them, as the older girls took what I taught them and taught the younger girls. Then for supper, we took them to our house to watch two short Christmas cartoons and eat pizza. Lastly, we took them to their home to get a good night’s sleep so they would be rested for their next adventure.
On Wednesday, we took them to the falls. The upper falls have several pools and rapids that are safe for elementary kids to play in. The swimming lessons on Tuesday helped them to be confident in the various pools and rapids. The weather was fabulous both days and the falls were beautiful. We bonded well with the girls and we are so thankful how God worked everything out. On Saturday, December 28, we went back to the girls’ home to spend some more time with them, watching a couple of movies, eating supper with them and interacting with them. We visited with the older girls too and got to know them.
The Message has an interesting twist on 1 Thessalonians 3:12, “And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.” My prayer is that God’s love “splashed” on those eleven girls during the two days that we were with them. I was told that most of the girls are saved, but each has a different painful story. So my second prayer for them is healing and my third prayer is to trust God. On Wednesday, I convinced each girl to go through a stronger part of the falls. They could not touch the bottom, so they trusted me (clutching and clinging to me) as I walked them through the falls. In the same way, I want them to trust God as He guides and supports them through life.
Thank you for your continued prayer and financial support!
Happy New Year!
Walter and Cheryl
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