At the market, the salesman told me there were 8 dolls inside this doll. At my look of disbelief he waved his hand in the air. "I will show you, " he said.
And he did. Tucked inside the mama, there was an entire family . . . plus pets . . down to the itty bitty yellow chicken.
The food was the same. Biting into pastries was always an adventure. Sometimes you'd bite into delicious sugary icing. We found a pastry filled with cottage cheese. And there was one that could only be described as a cheeseless cheeto covered in chocolate.
We ate a chocolate mousse type dessert in the shape of a cube that had a prune in the middle of it.
It was all so interesting. And there was no way to tell what was inside except to take a bite!
The orphanages are the same. There are treasures hidden inside each of these buildings.
Children with smiles that will melt your heart . . .
with antics that make you laugh . . . .
Children who dream of a better life.
They would like to have a dad to kick a soccer ball around with them. Or a mom to teach them how to cook. They yearn for stability, for family the way family is supposed to be. For someone to tell them that they do matter, that they aren't mistakes, thrown away and forgotten.
They all have talents hidden inside, but haven't had someone to encourage them, to challenge them, to cheer for them.
The children we met were eager to share their talents with us. Anya ( in the above picture) handed me a pink bookmark - the craft we helped her and her classmates make. After checking her English with our interpreter she said "From me to you."
Maria gave me a picture she painted.
And hidden treasure is inside each one of us. There are gifts waiting to be used. And hearts that yearn for that "I was born to do this" feeling.
God gives us talents so that we can use them in ways that bring Him glory.
Throughout the Bible, verses describe the compassion and special concern God has for the fatherless.
When we combine these two statements, something very exciting happens. When we use the gifts God has given us to be a part of His plans for orphans, we are involved in something bigger than ourselves. God does have plans for these children, and He has invited us to participate in these plans. It is amazing that our efforts made here could be used by God to change the lives of these kids.
Personally, I don't have a long list of talents. I love missions and I love to write. And I make cookies a lot with my children.
I learned about orphans in Ukraine by selling cookies to help raise money for the adoption of one 13 year old who desperately needed a family. Since then, opportunities have come up to write articles about Karina's adoption and about the orphans in Ukraine.
The Lord is using these talents on behalf of the fatherless and I am excited about participating in His plans.
So whether in Ukraine or not, it is true that you never know what you'll find inside. God knows and when we ask "What can I do?" He shows us, step by step.
A willing heart is a powerful tool in His Mighty Hands.
What talents do you have? How could they be used to reach out to the fatherless?
I'd love to brainstorm with you. Exciting possibilities await . . . .
