Grace

It is the essence of our Christian walk. As J. Gresham Machen said, "the very center and core of the whole Bible is the doctrine of the grace of God." It is something that I have never questioned, just like I have never really questioned the Father's love for me because of the earthly example that I was given. Just like I have never questioned what it meant to be adopted into the Kingdom of God because of the beautiful example of adoption that I have within my own family. But over the past few weeks, it is something that the Father has put on my heart--that He has called my attention to.

You see, in my line of work, with the girls I work with day in and day out, you always have to display GRACE. But, without having received grace yourself and without understanding it, you'd be a lost soul.

Extending grace here takes on various forms. Grace looks like not taking things personally when the girls say hurtful things to you. It means showing the girls love after they get in a physical fight with one another. It means forgiving them time and time again when they have made the wrong choice time and time again. It means accepting them the way they are, even when they think that what they have "out there" is better than what we could ever offer them.

GRACE means stooping in the sand like Jesus did in John 8 or washing his disciples' feet in John 13. It sometimes means taking on tasks that you never desired and enduring long emotional days. It means that I would do what I do, day in and day out, in a heartbeat over and over again. Does it mean that I am perfect at it? No. But, I do have the perfect example to look to...

Things to PRAY for:

• Please continue to hold our girls up in prayer! We are working through many strongholds, attitudes, and other things. Some days can be trying, but it is by His grace that we make it through!

• Please pray for continued good health. A few days ago, I went home from work early feeling dizzy. By Friday evening, I had the symptoms of Zika. I spent most of the weekend resting and hope to go back to work tomorrow (Monday.)

PRAISES & BLESSINGS:

• The favor that we have received from the government keeps pouring in! I cannot go into detail publicly, but we have many government officials who want to partner with us, help us, and help our girls.

• We are now fully staffed!! It is amazing how much smoother things have been running in the past two weeks with our new staffing additions.

• Our new LC teacher and I are starting to build up the Learning Center Program even more. It is a blessing to have her here and have her support!

• The girls are starting Prepara (or middle school) next week. This is a huge blessing and an expansion to our LC Program. Please keep them in your prayers as they resume their studies.