Girls' Home Update
This post is written by Jasmine Delic, who lives in Zambia with her family as missionaries serving with Lifesong for Orphans Canada.
It’s February 2017 (a year and a half ago) and I find myself in a dark, lonely place. A spiritual valley, if you will. I thought that God had led me somewhere, and now, I’m not so sure. In fact, I’m not in this valley alone….Dennis is there with me, and we’re struggling, wondering if we could have misunderstood what we thought God wanted us to do. You see, God had given us a dream to build a girls’ home that would provide over 20 very poor and underprivileged girls with the opportunity to be raised in a safe, clean, and loving environment. We were so excited to see how God would bring this dream to fruition. Initially, we were on the mountain and it felt so good, but we didn’t anticipate the obstacles that would come our way. And they came. Some thought that the idea would never materialize, which left us feeling discouraged. In the middle of all of this, we were doing a bible study together called, “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby, and on the 2nd of February, 2017, we were on Unit 7 and Day 3 which is entitled, “Encounters with God are God-sized.” The second paragraph of the lesson says this; “Some people say, “‘God will never ask me to do something that’s impossible.’” On the contrary, if the assignment I sense God is giving me is something I know I can handle on my own, I assume it probably is not from God. The assignments God gave in the Bible were always God-sized. They were always beyond what people could do in their own strength because He wanted to demonstrate His nature, His strength, His provision, and His love to His people and to a watching world. That is the only way the world will come to know Him.” In other words, the endeavor to build a girls’ home on our own and in our own strength was impossible. BUT. God had different plans. You see this was a God-sized assignment, and we had to wait to see how He would display His strength, His purpose, and His plan. And what were we to do? Well, wait and see what He would do, and tell you all about it, of course! That way He gets the glory, and we rejoice in the fact that we had an opportunity to experience Him. I guess what I’m trying to say is that the world doesn’t get the opportunity to experience God because His people lack the faith to experience things that only God can do. If we only attempt things that make sense to us, then we are relying on our own ability and strength. We implement our own plans and accomplish only what we can do. Then we ask God to bless our plans, and we promise to give Him the glory when He does. Yet God is not glorified by making our plans succeed. He receives glory when His will is done in His way. God demands that we depend on Him rather than on a method or plan. He wants to demonstrate His power. God knows that we can’t do whatever He has laid on our hearts to do. That’s the whole point! He wants to be able to do it Himself through us! He just needs someone willing to look past themselves, and enter into the realm of the impossible – an area where He thrives. Luke 18:27.
So, having said all of that, it is my honor to share with you that the dream has become a reality!
Just over a year later, we welcomed 22 girls into Lifesong Harmony Home. God provided, and we REJOICE! I hope you enjoy the photos that follow (please read the captions as they tell the story):
Just a side note – Adrian Acs (I mentioned him in a previous blog entry) hails originally from Hungary but lived in the U.S. for a number of years. He is a member of the Vista church in San Diego. I know that he wouldn’t want me to write the following (SO SHHHHH….don’t tell him) but KUDOS to this 25 year old young man who put his faith in God and responded to a calling on his life. He left family and friends and lives in Africa helping the poor and underprivileged. Please pray that God would protect him as he endeavours to please the Lord by serving in this capacity.
Dennis welcoming the caregivers on Dedication Day – praying for a blessing over the home – and Kenneth delivering an inspiring speech to the caregivers…
Please continue to pray for the girl’s protection, along with the house mothers. Some of the girls do not have parents, and the house mothers have a lot on their plate. They not only provide for the girl’s physical needs but for the emotional and spiritual ones as well.
Thank you for all that you are doing for the ministry……and for joining God in His work. What an honor and a joy to be used by the magnificent God of the universe! The bible says that God measures the universe with His hand……what an amazing thought! I can’t even mentally grasp how BIG He is, yet….the bible says, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” God’s love for people – especially the underprivileged – is indescribable! I’m sure you’ve heard people say, “Why does God allow suffering?” Well, I personally believe that He allows it for a reason. He gives us plenty of resources so that we can reach out to our fellow human being. He is relying on us to do that. He won’t come down to earth – no, that’s why He created you and me. Let us not harden our hearts or deafen our ears to the cries of the poor. Don’t you notice? They are all around us for a reason.