Sunday, November 22, 2009

What is it worth?

Last week the art ministry and I went to a home for children who have been taken from their homes due to parental problems. These kids are in such a need of love, affection, and just someone who will listen to them. We went to present a few skits and share a time with them. It was difficult because most of the kids were from 1-6 years old and wanted to be held or didn’t pay much attention to what we were doing, but I felt privileged to be there and see the reality of what the kids here in Mendoza are living. It is a sad reality and there is so much work to be done.

On the way home I was talking with one of the girls who went with us and she said she couldn’t wait to wash her hands and get out of there. I was so saddened by the outlook she presented. God has put a great burden in my heart for the lost, abandoned and needy children of the world. This girl also began to tell me of how difficult it was for her to be at this home with those kids, they had lice, they were dirty, and they wouldn’t stop touching us. I saw such need and my heart grew sad for these kids. I didn’t ask permission neither did I mention it to anyone but as I began to interact with these kids, I began to pray a blessing over each one, knowing that God could do something great with their lives. After chatting with this girl I began to ponder what she had said and I asked myself:

Is it worth it?

This girl saw these kids as dirty and lice infested. I saw them as kids in need of love.
She couldn’t wait to leave and wash her hands. I wanted to hug as many as possible. Yes, I wanted to wash my hands too, but the moment with them was more important to me.

Is it worth it to get dirty when holding a child longing for love?

Are we too worried about ourselves that we forget the hurting lives of others?

Is it worth it to sit with a child and have the chance of getting lice or are we too selfish that we don’t recognize the opportunity we have to extend God’s kingdom?

I don’t mean to say anything bad about this precious girl, don’t get me wrong, she is a wonderful women of God. But it did make me ponder.

What is it worth to you?

5 comments:

Laurel said...

Yes. It's worth it. I want to get dirty for Christ. I want to sit in other people's mud puddles with them.

Thanks for sharing!

mama :)

Karen said...

you are amazing! makes me wonder why exactly is that other person there for? was she forced to be there? makes me sad. :(

Jami Janelle said...

I remember when I started my outreach in Ghana... the kids that wore the same soiled and stained clothes every time I saw them... I remember those kids wanting to be held and loved on... it takes dying to yourself to embrace the smelly soiled children... then again God does that for us every day. If He can do it He can enable each one of us to do the same. I will be praying for you as you have an impact on those kids lives and the lives of those you serve with! Love you Carissa!

Super Splash said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Super Splash said...

dirt washes off
lice die
but the impact love makes on a childs heart lasts forever

i'd be right there in the dirt with you...loving on those broken little kiddos.

you're doin' great love and i miss you.

(the first comment i wrote had a spelling mistake-thats why i deleted it)