Walking In New Shoes

     
     I bent down to retie my shoe for the umpteenth time since we had been out in Khwamba village with the orphan children today, and as I squatted down I found myself in my own world for those few seconds beneath everyone else's view point. My eyes lifted for a split second from my own mud covered shoes to the ground around me only to notice hundreds of pairs of naked, dirt covered feet. Not one of the children had been wearing a single pair of shoes as they ran and played through the hard, dirt covered ground in their community. My heart tightened at my own complaint of having to simply bend down and tie my shoes for yet another time. It was almost as if the world around me froze for that quick instant, my perspective had been hit as if a firework had gone off right in front of my face and yet everyone around me was still walking in the same direction as before, unfazed by anything I had just experienced in my own minute, shoe-tying moment.... 
     It's been little glimpses like these that have truly made a unique impact on me during my time in Africa. Not only have I been forced to see different kinds of people, spend time in remote villages and communities, and experience "3rd world situations" through my own personal lenses, but I've been forced to reflect on how all these moments really matter with each new step and path of life that comes my way. It has become not so much about getting shoes on each of these children's feet, as that would be practical, but more so about how I can change my attitude and outlook to better exemplify Christ in any and every situation. I've begun to realize the things I feel deep concern over or spend wasted time worrying about just might not really be all that valuable after all. The more I grow to discover what it means to have a kingdom outlook and see Christ as the center of all this life, the less and less important everything outside of fulfilling His purpose becomes. Our shoes, although complementary, aren't necessary for walking, it's our bare feet, our attitude, what we do day to day for Christ that actually makes the difference for His kingdom. Everything else simply becomes a tool or opportunity we must use to better promote His kingdom through our lives. It has quickly become my prayer to no longer worry about the "shoes" I wear- the things I am "doing" each day, but rather shift my focus to how my feet- my walk, my attitude and character can better share and reflect the love of Christ with each step I take for His kingdom.... 

My little dancing queen, Elbee

Slip N' Slide with the kids! They loved it!!

Helping cook for the kids

Feeding over 400 orphans

Trust in the Lord, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.

Delight yourself in the Lord,    
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;

    trust in him, and he will act.

He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,

   and your justice as the noonday.

Psalm 37:3-6