~seeing hearts

 

 

the sun rose after we had dressed for the day

not only our clocks, but our bodies were not on the same time

 

the roosters were crowing and the smell of wood burning

 was already in the air

 

 

sharing HIS love comes from overflowing hearts

 

our mission team spent time in prayer and worship,

before leaving for our first visit to a village

 

 

 what heart-warming captures that are mine to treasure

her heart is one devoted to ministry and to the people

as she works alongside her husband

she is such a gracious hostess

 

 

they were already gathering on the front porch

of this home when we arrived

 

 

their place to gather for weekly worship

it was amazing how far they walked

or rode a horse to the weekly worship service

 



 

waiting with expectant hearts

 

to sing praises

 



 

to hear words of encouragement from the LORD

 

physical needs met for as long as she can make it last

 



to be shown love

have pictures taken 

and to allow this girl (me)

who had traveled all the miles

have 1 Samuel 16:7

become real to her

 



it took this first village

and all the smells and sights

 



 

to have my vision changed ~

 

"for the LORD sees not as man sees;

for man looks on the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks on the heart.

 

from a heart still seeking to keep HIS vision,

Karen



~packing with prayers

 

 the gospel and love of Jesus Christ in our hearts

plus 1100 +  pounds of blessings packed in 23 suitcases~
made the trip to Honduras

Our hearts were overflowing with gratitude as donations
were given from individuals and businesses.
Money to purchase food for food bags.
Tennis shoes (147 new pair)
Toothpaste & Toothbrushes
Clothes, Frisbees, Soccer Balls
 Bubbles, Bibles, Umbrellas,
Sewing Kits, Hair Accessories,
only begins the list of items packed

a few days before leaving
and after a lot of packing and repacking,
weighing luggage and reweighing luggage

my heart became burdened for our luggage-
YES, the luggage!
"Lord, we have all these wonderful things
and each item would be such a blessing to the ones
we are going to minister to, please deliver the luggage!"
This was my prayer.

I must say, the most stressful part of the whole trip,
is handling the baggage and having it checked.

But, worth it all, when you put shoes on feet
 who have on pink and blue socks.

The LORD was gracious and
 HE was our Shield and Protector.
Amazing stories could be told how we
 breezed through customs and
not one item taken out.
Everything arrived safely with us.

(our youngest showing off this little fellow's new shoes)

These two admiring their reusable shopping bags,
is one of those moments I framed forever.

They were able to place their food bags in them.
The food bags we packaged contained rice, beans,
sugar, lard, and spaghetti and tomato paste.

To attempt to weigh out blessings,
 the scripture comes quickly to mind,
found in Acts 20:35
 "it is more blessed to give than to receive"

-still laboring to share words from a heart
that is full of blessings.
Karen
 



~asking for freshness and words

 

 

 

this morning as I pulled the soft blue cotton shirt

 over my head, the one that has a flower pot on the front

and the words

love + grace = life + joy

 

a fresh mental reminder came flooding

  

babies were held close to this one

 

 

I have struggled for weeks ...

how to find words for the fullness of my heart

to be able to share what my eyes have seen

 

 

hoping to describe how humbling it was for
my hands and feet to be "HIS hands and HIS feet"

 

and how HE overcame the language barrier

with tears and a touch!

 

I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart;

I will show forth (recount and tell aloud) all Your

marvelous works and wonderful deeds!

Psalm 9:1

 

Praying HE keeps it fresh in my heart

and continues to give me the words to describe

The Great Adventure!