By Emily D.
I was putting Blessing Bags together, which are bags filled with necessary items for the homeless. I picked up a toothbrush to put it in a bag and I thought, “What if I couldn’t brush my teeth anymore?” and “How would my life change if I didn’t have anything? How would I respond?” These questions make me think about how much we all take things for granted.
A couple years ago, another missions team from our church went to Romania to help with Pathway to Joy ministries. I really wanted to go on that missions trip but my parents decided that I shouldn’t because I was 10 years old and international travel could be too much. Then earlier this year my church announced they were sending another team out, this time to Colorado. Part of the reason I was so excited to go on a missions trip to Colorado was that finally there was now a missions trip I could go on!
I thought about why I was so excited and why I wanted to go. The more I thought about it, I thought that I wanted to go so that I could help Ed, Anita, and Meredith with their ministry, but more so that I could make a homeless family happy and be a blessing to others.
Now that I am here, I realize there will be many things that will change my perspective and my thoughts.
If you are a praying person, please pray that I won’t have any trouble conversing with people I don’t know, because I get very shy talking to people I don’t know but I have no trouble once I get to know them. Also pray that the team will be able to finish the construction we hope to finish in the time provided. Pray for Ed, Anita, and Meredith: that they can have enough energy so they can continue being able to share the gospel and Blessing Bags with the homeless.
I know this week will push me beyond my limits but I trust God and that he will help me.
For the poor will never cease to be in the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall freely open your hand to your brother, to your needy and poor in your land.’
DEUTERONOMY 15:11