my favorite part.

we were able to help out at a church for kids in kroo bay.
it was only an hour long but it was LIFE CHANGING for me.
i heard in my head while watching all those kids sing and dance...
"God is HERE.  He is still good and still HERE...even in kroo bay.  HE is good even in this place."

that is embarassing.

it's just that...my mind is warped by the world.
my mind sees earthly wealth and thinks "good"
but when it sees poverty or slums it thinks "bad".
not good or bad PEOPLE but just a general thought...bad meaning sad, uncomfortable, wrong.

and that is wrong.
everyone knows that....i assume.
but i think it truly was my default.
without even realizing it.
i needed to look past the obvious...the dirt and the lack of "stuff"...to see what was there.
 
GOD was there.
200 children showed me.

when they see the staff from WMF walking through Kroo Bay the children know it's time to come.
they followed us down the hill to the doors...so excited.
this was the church before the kids came in while our group was getting instructions.
 

and outside...the kids were so excited to come in.



they file in...
quietly.
impressive...they were so good.
 



they went over the bible story of the previous week....




and then there was worship music.


WOW.



it was beautiful.
like deep deep down beautiful.
it makes me cry as i am typing just thinking of it.
i have never heard anything like it.



during the instructions for us before the kids came in we were told
"sometimes the kids get sleepy or fall asleep...if you see that just walk them around to help them"
and i thought "really? they fall asleep with all the other kids here?"


really.
 
it was the sweetest...the mother in me was aching to hold them...as much for me as for them.
i was missing my own kids.
 


 

he's crying because of me.
he was afraid of my white skin.
it's good...because i wouldn't have wanted to put him down for the rest of the day if he'd have let me.


one of the pastors gave the lesson about what kind of man Jesus was.
he first acted demanding and rude...yelling at peter to get him food...water...clean his feet.
then asked the kids "isn't He King? isn't He Master?  then what does He act like?"
the kids were watching with intensity.


 

he then showed the Jesus we know in the bible.
loving and caring for his disciples...and then HE washed their feet.

i was totally crying at this point.

as a treat each child who is there gets a hard boiled egg to eat. 

even that was humbling.
would my children be satisfied with an egg?
would they even eat it?
i can promise you that every child there ate it and was very happy about it.
it was an honor to pass out eggs to these sweet children.


 
before each child left a grown up prayed with them.
 
     
 




this place was joyous.
this place was love.
this place was my favorite memory of my time in africa.
 
God is there.  

Comments

[Betsy]

SO amazing! Those sweet faces ... watching, praying, smiling, sleeping. My favorite is the little one, asleep sitting up, because just a few pictures before, you see her dancing & singing! :) Thanks for sharing.

[Wendy]

amazing, touching post.

[Cara Kapp]

I'm crying just reading this. I live in South Africa (Cape Town, Kommetjie). You are a very brave women to go there and help them. I love reading your blog and come here everyday to see if there is something new.

[Leah]

Great job Meg! Such little punkins! Do you think they fall asleep because they are at peace there? That happens with some of our kids at our childrens ministry clubs. I could totally be reading into it...but thats what it reminded me of. They are so sweet!

[Christina]

I don't even know what to say. How warped my thinking is...I sit in my nice house, feeling so sad that we have a roach problem (sorry if that is too much info...that is what I am dealing with these days. Gross.) while you have seen the God of the universe amidst poverty and in the eyes of children who barely have shoes.
Those cheeks! The sleeping, just laid out...that's universal, isn't it? So sweet. I bet their singing was just awesome. A group of children that come from a village in East Africa sang at our church recently. Most of the songs were nice songs that they sang in English, and they danced. But the last song was a tribal song, a worship song in their native language, and they were amazing. Really alive! It was by far my favorite...I would love to worship like that. Anyway, thank you for sharing these images and your journey, and the way God has shown himself to you.

[Rebecca Smith]

I just have to tell you that I as I read this in my Google reader, my heart is swelling to hug each of those kids. I get lost in each post as if I'm in Africa with you. Thank you for that. Thank you for being obedient to Jesus and going. Thank you for reminding me that life is more about crafting, and sewing, and home decorating. As I finished your post and scrolled to the next one titled "new desk accessories", I couldn't even read it. It seemed so pointless and meaningless to me now. I mean, a hard boiled egg... they stuck around for a hard boiled egg. And here I am trying to accessorize my desk.

puts things in perspective, huh?

[Mary Beth]

Awesome Meg..thank you for sharing your pictures and thoughts with us. Those precious faces and hearts full of love and gratitude. So very humbling and convicting! You will never be the same and hopefully neither will we.

[Cath W]

It is good to be kind.
It is good to love.
But is it good to travel to distant lands, introducing your own beliefs and saying "this is the truth"? The Aboriginal people of Australia had their 'Dreamtime' stripped away and now mostly live a nightmare.
What of the African beliefs before white man introduced HIS idea of 'God'?
I know you are doing your best within your own faith, but I feel sad and confused by your images.

[Peggyrice@gmail.com]

Aidan has the chicken pox right now. As we were walking down the street an elderly African man saw him and starting singing a tribal song, touched him on the head, smiled and walked off. It made me feel so good, just something about that man who clearly had far less "things" than us, but filled with so much than me. It's odd, I thought your pictures from Africa would make me depressed in some way, guilty for what I have, but they don't, they make feel good just like the man on the street made me feel. They are filled with a joy for life, thank you for sharing them in just the perfect way!

[Maria]

just beautiful...I am in tears.

[tara]

definitely my FAVOURITE part...so beautiful...~Tara

[kathy b]

It's four AM. My cat woke me up, I couldn't go back to sleep so here I am reading your blog....with the tears streaming down my face. The photo of all the children praying moved me.
I'm going to turn off this computer and go have a time with this great and loving God of ours and his word.

Kathy b

[tess s.]

moved me to tears. wow.

[Kirsten]

AWESOME. Totally, totally awesome. In the true, God-is-awesome sense of the word, not the "awesome, dude" sense. What a beautiful time. And the coolest part? That's what heaven is going to be like, only better.

Thanks so much for sharing!

[Debra]

Wonderful!

[sara's art house]

Wow- amazing- makes me embarrassed for what we have....

[Sarah]

wow that was such a beutiful post God bless the ministry team over there. Thank you so much for sharing and putting our lives in perspective.

[Dana D@BoysMyJoys]

TEARS... again!
(and so nice to see you 'in front of' the camera!)

[Lanny Stanard]

Oh Megan... I love these picture's they tell the story. I thank you for what you do... I love you for that! God Bless You my Friend :)

[Cate O'Malley]

I can see why this was your favorite part. I've loved reliving bits and pieces of your trip with you, and this one was my favorite. Humbling indeed. No way would my oldest be satisfied with just a hard-boiled egg. It really makes you appreciate everything we have.

[j]

oh man.

A few years ago my family and I had the opportunity to have lunch with a missionary and his wife. The lived in Uganda but had been in Africa for years (they were in Rwanda when it was REALLY bad). They are amazing people. I took them around to some of my favorite places. One was a church in Palm Beach where I often take pictures. The man walked around the church and I'll never forget what he said. He told me that it always amazed him what Americans thought they needed to worship God. He said that an African wouldn't need this.

How would we live the other six days of the week if we went to a church like the one you went to every Sunday? Thanks so much for sharing these pictures. I'm sure it was a very personal experience and I really do appreciate you putting them "out there".

[Sally Mangham]

These babies are so sweet! I was reading your blog to my hubby this morning as we were discussing the boiled egg and our daughter's response. Hmmm...would she eat it? That would be a negative. This brings up the continued dialogue of how to raise my american children to be grateful.

I am so glad that you are back home and I have missed the surprises that you share with us every day. Thank you! I always look forward to your post because they always bring such joy to my world. Thank you!

[Maria in CT]

Wow, the tears just keep coming. Thank you for sharing the beauty.

[shelly]

Wow---I was barely ok...until I saw the pictures of the people praying over the children. Absolutely felt God's hand in those precious pictures! Beautiful children, beautiful experience!

[Christy]

oh my Meg, you got my in tears!! what touching pictures..

[Queen Bee]

I'm speechless. I'm in tears. That was immensely powerful.

[Tecla]

There is NOTHING like church in Africa. There is a spirit there like no other. You will never forget it, and will probably find yourself longing to experience it again!! I have loved following your journey. I went to Mozambique a couple of years ago and am planning to be in Rwanda this summer. A man once told me that while visiting South Africa, he told someone that Americans were praying for them. The South African man replied, "And we pray for you Americans in your abundance, because it allows you to forget to rely on God." So true.

[Deanna]

Amazing.....what a great post! It is really making me think about how spolied we are here in America and how other people live EVERY day of their lives. Just amazing.

[Becky @ Farmgirl Paints]

Oh Meg I am weeping. This post moved me so much. The looks on their face...anxious to hear God's word and to worship. Priceless! The washing of the feet...so humbling. I am so glad you went. So glad you could come home and share this. It has blessed my heart so much. I feel like I am a different person. Thank you!!! I posted on you today. Check it out if you get a minute.

[Amanda Jo]

Our Lord is so amazing! What an amazing work He is doing in the lives of those people!! Your pictures were beautiful... your story was touching... Thank you for sharing it with us, but, even more so - thank you for sharing Christ with those little ones!

[Megan]

This really brought tears to my eyes! Those sweet faces and how just 1 egg makes them happy. I will have to share this with my children to get them thinking of how blessed they truly are and to be grateful. Thanks for sharing!

[Lindsay Thomas]

Incredible. Amazing. God is great.

[sara]

wow! thank you for sharing such a special experience. just amazing.

[Meredith]

Those precious, precious babies. He knows every hair on their head. Thanks for sharing this Meg.

[amy j.]

tears. Love the picture of Kari praying with the child.

[Trasie]

I have tears streaming down my face that I can't control at this very moment. What an amazing post you had today and I think this would have been my favorite part too. God is Good and thanks for reminding me today that He has every single one of us in the palm of His hand and that we are all His favorite.

Many Many Blessings!

[Kelsey I]

This is is so touching and as you've been saying all along, humbling. I have tears running down my face & I'm so glad that I get to start my day seeing this. I won't be so concerned with worldly things.. today. Thank you.

[Robyn]

you know. i think im a pretty good person. your story of your journey there... you... make me want to be an even better person.
thank you.

[Tonya]

Oh Meg, I can't begin to tell you how moved I've been this week by your posts about your trip! Thank you for opening your heart and sharing it all with us! I'm so humbled by your images and am praying how God would have me respond.

Thank you!

[Staci]

Goosebumps and tears streaming down my face....can't even explain how powerful this post was :)

[kbonikowsky]

I've started to comment many times on all your Africa posts, but then stop, because I keep saying Thank you, thank you! And that gets old...

But, this post made me weep, and I don't cry, except for missions. I'm completely taken with your journey and your faith and your humility. I know God is blessing you! When people do "missions" for the first time, they are usually struck by the same things: the wealth of the US, the lack of gratefulness in the US, the self-indulgence of the US, heh. (Hasn't God blessed the US so much?! I love my country!) And they fall in love with God a little more, because they begin to get a glimpse of Jesus' Father through the lens of "reality." I can tell you got this too.

How will you do Kansas life different now because you know Africa?

[Kristy]

i'm crying. what an amazing journey for you. thank you so much for sharing.

[Shelly]

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord.

[Annie]

Another beautiful post! Everyday I'm coming to tears over these posts - everyday God is great - even when the living conditions are now. Thank you for sharing :)

[Messy@Bungalow'56]

I'm not usually a teary person, but I welled up. Thanks for posting.
Dana

[kristen b.]

oh megan -
yep. i'm weeping with you. . . the children will get me every time. and i'm sure the praises of children will flood the gates of heaven some day! the Word says "God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes" and yet my tears flow so easily for several reasons. one of them being when i am so touched, blessed and humbled by God's prescence among those less fortunate than us. wow. your experience and pictures should be life changing for all of us -- but how do we keep our focus where it needs to be? the material world so easily creeps in and gets me distracted!
and another thing. . .isn't it simple and just complex too that God is here and there "inhabiting the praises of His people" ?
*i LOVE that picture of the lady praying with the little girl with the wild hair. LOVE IT!
and LOVE YOU!
kristen b.

[Kate]

OH meg. I'm weeping. God is so good. God is so lovely. God is so good.

[Tegan and Tage]

I should have known better than to read this post at work. The rest have been so moving, this was no exception. I can barely keep it together enough to post a comment! Thank you, thank you, thank you. God is using you in some very powerful ways Meg.

[Emily]

I don't even have words to describe all the emotions that were running through me as I read your post and looked through the pictures.

[Heather]

I can feel Him through your post! I can't imagine how it felt to be there. Amazing!! Thank you for sharing your journey.

[Elizabeth]

Thanks for the good cry! And so very perfect during Lent to be reminded of moments like these.

[Sarah @ Dream In Domestic]

So beautiful. I don't know what else to say.

[Cori]

Thankyou Meg.

[Jeanne]

GORGEOUS...in every single way that matters! This was so truly beautiful! Thank you!

[Katie]

Thanks for sharing that. It brought tears to my eyes.

[Courtney]

wow.
i don't really have words.
this was my favorite post so far...
those kids are so so precious.
thanks for sharing them with us!

[Krista]

What beautiful children, so content with so little. We could all learn an important lesson. Thanks so much for sharing and a reality check!

[tara pollard pakosta]

this made me cry.
so beautiful. so touching.
so amazing. so humbling. I
wish I could have been there.
Someday.....
thanks for sharing your pictures + words!
tara

[Amy]

Tears are in my eyes as I'm looking at these pictures and reading your story. The pictures of praying over the children is awesome. What a great work you guys did there and I know the children will be forever changed by meeting you all!

[Jo]

My heartaches. My heart is just THUMPING because WE as Americans, are spoiled. We aren't satisfied with ANYTHING! It takes so much for us to be "happy". It's so touching to know that these children are so happy an egg. ONE EGG, one! I understand it's the way they grew up, but it's touching. It's touching to know some don't have shoes, no clothes, haven't showered but yet they are giving. I love how you have broke your days up through your posts. I wish I could go and see this, i'm sure it would totally change my life FOR GOOD!

xo
Jo

[Kate]

Wow Meg. Great photos and stories. This is the first time I have felt compelled to leave a comment on a blog. First, I applaud you for the work you are doing and what a kind, spiritual, giving person you are. The world needs MANY more people like you. What a beautiful human being and fantastic role model you are. Second, thank you for sharing your stories in such vividness. I felt like I was there and wanted to hug each of those precious children. I want to tell them how proud I am of them for paying such good attention and tell them how special each and every one of them are. This was also the first time I really cried reading a post. I cried because I was proud of all of the volunteers there and how important their work is and to see the good it is doing. I cried for those children...out of sadness for the poverty but out of happiness for their enthusiasm and love for GOD. Your posts have been very humbling. We Americans often have too much stuff. I am not even talking about wealth, just too many material possessions we take for granted. Too many toys, multiple household things we could do without,etc... It is possible to live with so much less and realize that all we need is each other. God provides the rest. :)

[Julie K.]

Weeping.
My favorite pictures from your trip.
What.an.experience.

[Small Burst]

Aww. This brought tears to my eyes. How amazing those children are, so resilient. Bless you for all that you're doing.

[cynthia]

oh those sweet babies! how awesome...i so want to go.

[Michelle Whitlow]

Wow. That's all I can say. Wow.

[Heather]

I am a woman of many words, but all I can say to that is "wow!"

[Jodi]

This post brought tears to my eyes, they are streaming down as I type. Amazing. Even through the pictures, you can feel God's presence.

[tasha roe]

well...my eye makeup is all down my cheeks now.
this is so awesome! the love for the children and their love for God.
i pretty much lost it when i saw the picture of the little girl with unkept hair & dirty clothes eating the egg. still crying actually.
thanks for sharing how God is moving, touching, loving, and restoring everywhere!

[peta]

the tears came. thank you. so beautiful.

[Tracy]

Wow, how humbling for us all, Meg! I am crying as I just finished reading this and seeing those beautiful kid's faces. And the egg? WOW is all I can say. Thank you SO much for sharing these beautiful and meaningful photos with us and the story of your trip. Much love to you, Meg! xoxoxo

[jack foster]

Thank you Meg for sharing your photos, your experience, and your heart with us. Amazing and heart tugging. God bless you. I stopped over here from Becky at Farmgirl Paints

[Lauren Rodgers]

So precious and heart tugging. The tears are flowing. Thanks for sharing.

[jenny]

thank you for doing all you did here, and sharing it. what an incredible opportunity and experience. it has stirred awe and magnificence of the Lord. thanks again.

[Jessie]

This is absolutely beautiful. God is wonderful.

[Diana]

to be like little children... oh what joy. total awesomeness. just looking at the photos of them singing, i can hear them through you. and then the prayers. and an egg to eat.

♥

[Sarah]

What a beautiful post. This is what I think heaven will be like - everyone worshiping Jesus with abandon. We are so confined here in America - in our wealth and ignorance. Thank you for such a vivid reminder. I have loved all of the posts about your trip. Thank you for being faithful to our Lord.

[Lori McDonough]

Meg,
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing journey of faith with us. I am humbled reading it. I am better for it. These faces inspire me. You inspire me. So happy that you are home safe. You are blessed. God is good.
Smiles,
Lori

[Christina]

That was an amazing post- I read it yesterday and couldn't stop thinking about it. Those little sweet souls sound asleep. You "got" it. So many people go to Africa or another part of the developing world and their response is just "wow I have so much" or "those poor people" But you saw that in some ways these children have much, much more than we will in this lifetime- and you were able to communicate that to us. God is so great! It brings to mind so many scriptures- "God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong." "Blessed are the pure in heart for they will see God"...I could go on and on. Thank you so much for sharing your trip so beautifully and respectfully and with such grace. God bless!

[mel]

Tears are streaming down my face.
Those were some of the most beautiful pictures I have EVER seen. What an amazing post, thank you for sharing with us! God is good, all the time & everywhere. Thank you for that reminder!

[Tara]

more tears. good tears.

[Mindy Harris]

precious beyond words. i want to be there. God is holy near and far. may He give us fresh perspective.

[Julie]

I might have to come back to this post again and again. Every time I need perspective, humbling, and to see His love. His sweet, sweet children. How He loves us so.

[Sara Cameli]

Hi Meg, this filled me with happiness, thank you for sharing everything...

[Jennifer Dawn]

Amazing!

[LM]

Thank you for so thoughtfully and carefully sharing your experience in such a dignified way. Thank you for honoring the culture and people of Sierra Leone.

[Jenni]

Tears are literally dripping down my cheeks at the sight of so much beauty. Oh, the goodness of the Lord and the preciousness of those children. Lord bless them, and us, with more of You.

[Dianne]

thank you for sharing this. that's all i can say right now...thank you for sharing.

[Sandra K]

Dear Meg,
What a beautiful, amazing post. The whole post was touching, but the tears started when I read the part about an adult praying with each child before they left...and then the photos. Wow. God was there and how amazing to see you doing His work, praying with those sweet children.

God bless,
Sandra

[jennifer wood]

He is an Awesome God, all Knowing, all Powerful, all Loving:)

[Tammy Alfultis]

These pictures of all of the children are so amazing - thank you so much for sharing them with us. The pics alone just make me want to reach out an hold them - I can only imagine what you felt being there. AMAZING and thanks again!

[Tammy R]

Thank you for sharing your story, and their story. Your pictures and commentary on your trip have really opened my eyes. Words can't adequately describe the story those pictures tell.

[kristine]

i keep re-reading this post. i love it. you could win (another) award on just this one. it's moving. and the pictures...of those children...they are so beautiful! oh my. i really don't know how you didn't come home with (at least!) one. have i already said that?!

and that is so interesting about them falling asleep. it's funny but awesome. maybe they are just in such peace when they're there that it's a tranquil time for them. so precious.

[Darby]

Meg, I'm just now catching up on some of your posts... this one touched me to my core. These children are beautiful, these children are PRECIOUS... what an impact you all made on their lives. Thank you for sharing these touching photographs!!!!

[pambuller]

i've come back to this post time and time again. you captured the time in Kroo Bay so well. there was so much joy in that place and such awesome worship. thanks for recording the memories. awesome.

[Jessica/littlepumpkingrace]

Amazing. Thank you for this beautiful post...and for your giving heart.

[Nan]

Absolutely beautiful. (Oh, yes, the pictures too. But I am talking about your words.)

Thank you so much for sharing this. I needed this reminder tonight more than you know.

This post should win awards.

[Keri]

This post reminds me of my trips to Honduras. It reminds me of their happiness in the things that we think are so trivial.
Your photos bring tears to my eyes. They know so little of the things that we take advantage of yet they are happy with a boiled egg.

[Juli]

Your photos have altered my view of my world. I can't seem to get the images of this past week's blogs out of my mind.

[nicole]

thank you. thank you. thank you.

[AmyB]

What a beautiful post! Love these sweet babies! I want to hold them all!!!