We are His

Today was a memorable day. I met some amazing people. Jude Jean Paul is a young man who has cerebral palsy. His mother takes care of him in a house that is about 6 feet by 8 feet. In this space there was one twin-size bed, one chair, and a small dresser. Jude Jean Paul was in a wheel chair and did not speak. Our whole team (15 people) gathered around them and sang songs together. Some of us massaged Jude Jean Paul's feet and hands. I knelt on the floor and asked his mother if she would like her feet massaged. She said, "Oui" which means "Yes". I helped her take off her shoes. Tears rolled down her cheek and she said, "Bien, merci" which means, "Good, thank you". We exchanged smiles. What a beautiful woman. She has dedicated her whole life to taking care of her son.
We also visited 3 elders. They each lived in a small home (6' x 8'). A cement slab with sheets hanging for walls. No electricity, no toilet, no stove, no refrigerator. One might think they have nothing. But the opposite is true. They have everything. They have a Savior. They trust in God and have a faith like none I have ever seen. Their hands and feet have gone many places in life. We sat with them, sang with them, and prayed with them. One blind, elderly man said, "Merci, merci, merci, merci", which means "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you". He said it over and over until we left his home. The elders hearts were gracious.
At Grace Village, we were delighted by the children (about 40 orphans). Their smiles were the biggest I have ever seen! They sang with all of their heart to God. Thanking Him and praising Him. We made salvation bracelets together. Each colored bead symbolized our beliefs in God (green= God created the world, orange= praise God, red= Jesus loves us, white= Jesus died on the cross for our sins and has made us new, blue= God's promises are true, yellow= we will be in Heaven together). Most of the children made 2. They planned on giving the extra bracelet to a friend at school. We also sang some silly songs (including my kindergarten student's favorite...Tooti Ta). We all laughed and enjoyed one another. The children have joy!
I am reminded of Psalm 139 tonight. God knows each and every person I met today. He created each one of us. God knows when we rise and when we go to sleep. He knows our pain, our joys, our struggles, and our hope. He knows our every thought. This brings great comfort and peace. Today was a beautiful day. We are His!