Tico Tuesday, October 29th

A couple boys at the Bible Home have been weighing on my heart big time. The more you get to know people, the more you love them, and the more you love them, the more they have the potential to hurt you, right? Well, not only have I been feeling closer to these boys, but I've learned about some things they've done and found myself on the verge of tears because of them. I know I'm no mom, but I know I'm getting a taste of parenting. How difficult it is not only to hear disappointing news, but to be lied to, taken advantage of, and even manipulated! Ugh, it's awful. But I know it is a good reminder of how my sin makes God feel... We talk about things breaking our heart in English, but in Spanish, things part one's very soul. I like that expression.

A few of my loves with the nurse at the Bible Bee

But anyway, I am very happy to report to you that there is respite from the soul-splitting words and heart-wrenching behaviors, and even the most difficult children can fill my heart with love and glue my cracked soul back together. Case in point: last night I babysat in the Bethesda house again. The last couple times I'd been there, the kids were pretty wild and it was hard to get them to settle down. But last night, I was in a house with 13 angels (10 from the HB and 3 from the substitute family-- though one is 15 and a great help). I walked in the house and to my surprise, D, one of the most challenging boys, was the first to run up to me and hug me. Most of the rest followed suit, with kisses and all. I'll take that kind of greeting anytime I enter a house! It was so sweet! They had wonderful behavior the whole time. D swept the dining room by himself and did an excellent job, one girl volunteered to help another with the dishes, the kids were able to remember what they'd been learning in devotions and they paid great attention while we read and and talked about the parable of the Good Samaritan. My favorite part? Tucking them all in and praying for them. I let each one briefly mention a prayer request and then prayed and kissed each one good night and told them I loved them as I shut the door. Coming out to the living room and finding that the Red Sox were winning couldn't even compare to the joy, love and warmth I was feeling. God is at work in these children, and he is doing such marvelous things! Thank you for praying for me, for the children, for the house parents, and for the rest of the staff. Please keep it up...we need it! (I especially request your prayers as I have a number of assignments due in the next week and not much time in which to do them!)
With a heart and soul full of gratitude and love,
Carrie