In the mean time....
If you've followed this blog for a while, you may remember about a year ago when I shared my testimony of how I came to be a child of God- at age 16 in a little log cabin in the woods in mid February, on a camping retreat with my friend's youth group.
For the past four years since this story has taken place, everything has changed. I am a new creation in Christ, transformed in His love. And ever since that night four years ago when I laid in that cabin on a church camping retreat and surrendered to Jesus, I've dreamt of going back. Back to the cabin, that is. More than that, I've dreamt of someday re-visiting that cabin with my daughter. Countless times I've pictured myself walking hand in hand with my husband and daughter, taking them back to the place where it all began. Taking a walk around the camp grounds. Praying that my child would grow to learn of this amazing grace and become a child of God, having her own incredible story like this one. I picture us walking into the cabin, me lifting my herr up onto the top bunk bed, the one to the right of the door- my bed. The bed where I laid all those years ago in the middle of the night and cried out to God- show me, save me! I even picture her smile as she looks down at me, knowing this place is special, even if she doesn't quite understand why.
While I still have this dream for my future after marriage, God has granted it right now in an entirely different way. I was recently offered a position in the offices of this camp, and got the inspiration to write to my sponsored girls about why it is such a special place to me. I write to them about salvation, my church, different bible verses, and prayer all the time; but I had yet to share my testimony with them. I wrote out a letter to each of them, telling them where I was and what was happening in my life when I accepted Jesus. Today, I decided to ask for permission to re-visit the cabin and take some pictures to send to my girls- and it was a go! So, after work today, I went down to the cabins and desperately tried to remember which one was "mine". It took only seconds before I spotted it...
After a moment of staring in amazement, I pushed open the door. The cob webs across the door frame showed that I was the first visitor in a while.
Every memory came flooding back. To the right of the door was my bed. I maneuvered between the furniture and climbed up on top.
I climbed right up and marveled at the memories this building held. I stopped to pray for my girls...my daughters around the world. Although I couldn't physically share this moment with them like I had dreamed of, I would share it through letters and pictures. They would have this special memento of something important to me, and know that while I was in that cabin today, I prayed for them. I prayed they would have amazing testimonies, and that they, too, would know what it means to be children of God.
Have you considered writing to your sponsor children about that place that is special to you? It could be where you were saved, your first church, or even just a quiet place in your room where you get away with God. Share why it is special to you, and set the example for your little ones to seek their own testimony of salvation.
