What I learned from a lady in Manila!

As I sit in my favorite chair this morning, reading and oh so enjoying my cup of coffee...I met a woman who reminded me of a great life lesson. I sure am thankful how we can all learn from each other AND for the people that take the time to write these precious lessons down on paper so that our hearts can be touched.

Can I share it with you?

"Countess individuals around the world-the sponsors as well as the sponsored children-have had their lives changed through the ministry of Compassion International.  I know from experience, specifically, from a trip I made to a little school on the outskirts of Manila.  One little girl caught my eye.  When I asked about the small, quiet chile, I learned that her name was Belinda and that she had no sponsor-and I said I would love to be her sponsor.  After school, I went to meet Belinda's family in their shantytown home that was built over a swamp; the stench from the open sewers was unbearable. 

Our Philippine interpreter explanined to Belinda's mother who we were and why we were there.  How would this poor woman, living in a one-room shack with ten children, react to our unannounced invasion?  Nothing could have prepared me for the love that poured forth from her heart!  She threw her arms around my neck and wept on my shoulder.  I began weeping too, and we clung together, total strangers.  As I looked into this mother's eyes, I was surprised by her hope and courage.  She said, "The Lord's presence fills my home, and His glory is with us."  We prayed together as best we could with our different languages, and I left with tears blurring my vision.  i stopped to wipe the tears from my eyes, and when I looked down, there was Belinda's mother on her knees in the mud, trying to wipe off my shoes."

-"Good Morning, Lord" by Sheila Walsh

So many things in this story SHOUT out to me...even if you're living in a 1 room shack built over an open sewer, you can say "The Lord's presence fills my home, and His glory is with us?"  Absolutely...

Even if you live in the United States in a multi-room,comfy home,with endless opportunity, can we still feel empty, meaningless, and not content?  Absolutely...

What a great reminder to me that our circumstances have absolutely nothing to do with God's peace and presence in our lives. Let's also remember to take every opportunity to reach out to whomever God puts in our path...we will never know whose life we can touch...or more likely, who can touch ours!

Here's a little plug for Compassion...if you're not sponsoring a child...I highly recommend it!  We do a poor job of corresponding with our sponsored child, Gaddala Sai, on a regular basis BUT the several times a year we write back and forth are priceless.  He tells us about his school, what he got for Christmas, and how he is learning about Jesus.  The special part about it is he has recently  started signing his letters "Your loving son, Sai."

I'm so glad I could start my day with a new friend all the way around the world in Manila...and thankful for the life-lesson she taught me today!  I can't wait to visit her one day in her mansion that awaits her and tell her how she has touched me.

Have a great day!
Katie