Many times we start particular walk with God, the direction and the path that we take seem so obvious. We are so sure of the outcome far in advance.
Our walk to help earthquake victims started early in the year. It took us through many paths and many roads, slightly different for each one of us that was or is involved. The bunk bed project was born from our trip to Haiti in April of this year and came to realization in May, when a decision was made to make 20 bunk beds for the girls at Grace Orphanage. It took most of the summer to cut all 760 pieces that would eventually make up the 20 double beds. Many people were touched by those beds, from cutting and drilling holes, through sanding of surfaces through painting all of the colorful boards by friends and kids from a neighborhood, to packaging and putting all on the container, all with endless hours of God’s love. With the container changing direction and going to another needy orphanage, there was some sadness, but not for long. God just had something bigger in mind. When we’ve arrived to New Life for Children Orphanage, it was obvious that this is a place that needed those beds even more. The orphanage houses over 100 kids, boys, girls and some of them are handicapped. The boy’s orphanage collapsed during the earthquake, and now they are housed in very cramped quarters. The older boys are sleeping on beds that are to narrow and too short for them with upper bunk being on top of the lower bunk, you have to side in to just to get in. Jim and I started to assemble first bunk beds last week, but quickly came to realization that we would not be able to get all of them completed. Today we worked with the older boys on bunk bed assembly. Showed them how to use hand tools, sequence of assembly, how to square up headboard and foot board, and take pride in the workmanship. We showed one boy how to assemble his bunk, and in turn he became teacher to other boys. We went from the assemblers to teachers to very proud observers. Boys went from observers, to apprentices to proud owners of new beds. The pride was showing through. I don’t know if this sense of accomplishment was bigger in boy’s hearts or in Jim’s and mine.
So next time you set out on a walk with God, keep your eyes and heart wide open, because the final perceived result might just not be good enough for God and you do not want to miss any signs along the road.
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