Saturday, September 29, 2007

sometimes working in a third world country makes me feel like i am emptying the ocean with an eye-dropper. and just when i have about half a cup full of water, it rains: more orphans from the north migrate to where i live, more abandoned and dead babies are found, more people are infected with aids. it is enough to discourage even the most enthusiastic and passionate person. and yet the discouragement lasts only a moment and God tells me to keep going. that He loves me. that he loves these people. that He will never leave or forsake any of us, not one. that my work IS important, to Him.

i spent the day at the wedding of my friend lydia. it was a beautiful celebration not only of our love for one another, but also the love God has for us. at the reception, there was cake and singing and dancing, just like at any american wedding. one thing that wasnt like an american wedding however, was the congregation of street children at the gate, all longing to join the party inside. those who know me know that i am not the kind of person who can sit in a chair if others have to sit on the floor; i immediately felt suffocated inside the gates of the extravagant party. so for most of the reception you could find me outside with the raggedy, dirty street children dancing and laughing and cuddling. most people were slightly appalled that i, a WHITE person especially, was associating with these children, the lowest of the low, the outcasts of society. many of the fancily dressed guest at the wedding even came and told me that i probably shouldnt speak to these awful children, let alone kiss them and let them bury their faces in my hair. "the are from the street!" the people would cry, as if it was some kind of sin, as if the children could help it. we had so much fun though. the children ate up every bit of attention i could give, danced as close to me as they possibly could and lavished me with love. we spun and laughed until we ached and had to collapse in the grass outside of where the reception was taking place. those who had been shy at first (they are not used to adults talking to them, let alone mzungus) ended up snuggled close at my side, petting my hair or kissing my hands. the littlest ones fell asleep in my lap, despite the blaring music from the wedding. those who could speak english wanted to know all about me and thanked me unneccisarily for spending time with them. they were so happy, i cant describe the new light in their eyes after all of our dancing.

its that light.
its that happiness.
its that love.

my darling little friend emily is asleep in my lap and i can feel her heart beating against mine.

its that beat.
its that warmth.
its that love.

its that love that is the reason i just keep filing up my little eye-dropper. keep filling it up and emptying my ocean one drop at a time. im not here to eliminate poverty, to eradicate disease, to put a stop to people abandoning babies. im just here to love.

11 comments:

BSD said...

Keep filling that eye dropper Kate. You are making a difference every single day. You are the sunshine, the moon and the stars for these children. Much love. Dad

mom said...

mom said...you are the most fabulous writer and your love for these children is beautiful. Keep up the dedication, continue to give your unselfish love, continue your endless hard work, and know how much GOD loves you. I love you too and am looking forward to Dec. 20th. Love and hugs. Mom

BSD said...

I love the picture of my "main man" VY! Give him a big hug for me and tell him Uncle Scott thinks of him often. Have his picture on my desk.

Love you Kate.

Kathi said...

Keep on dancing Katie! Here are words to one of my favorite Stephen Curtis Chapman songs:

Lord of the Dance (Col 1:15-20)
Steven Curtis Chapman / Scotty Smith

On the bank of the Tennessee River
In a small Kentucky town
I drew my first breath one cold November morning
And before my feet even touched the ground
With the doctors and the nurses gathered 'round
I started to dance
I started to dance

A little boy full of wide-eyed wonder
Footloose and fancy free
But it would happen, as it does for every dancer
That I'd stumble on a truth I couldn't see
And find a longing deep inside of me, it said . . .

I am the heart, I need the heartbeat
I am the eyes, I need the sight
I realize that I am just a body
I need the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But who'll give purpose to chance
I am the dancer
I need the Lord of the dance

The world beneath us spins in circles
And this life makes us twist and turn and sway
But we were made for more than rhythm with no reason
By the one who moves with passion and with grace
As He dances over all that He has made

I am the heart, He is the heartbeat
I am the eyes, He is the sight
And I see clearly, I am just a body
He is the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But He gives purpose to chance
I am the dancer
He is the Lord of the dance

Lord of the dance
Lord of the dance

And while the music of His love and mercy plays
I will fall down on my knees and I will pray

I am the heart, You are the heartbeat
I am the eyes, You are the sight
And I see clearly, I am just a body
You are the life
I move my feet, I go through the motions
But You give purpose to chance
I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the dance

I am the dancer
You are the Lord of the dance

mom said...

mom said...I love the picture of Vince and can't wait to see and hug him!! I love u. Mom

becca2008 said...

Hey Katie,

I just want to say that you ARE making a difference, and its the difference that you are making that keeps me going with my speech for the forensics team at RHS...

katie said...

awww you guysssssss.
those were the sweetest comments ever, i almost cried.

love and miss eveyone especially mom n dad!! mom, yesterday i brought the kids popcorn and vince saved half of it for "auntie mary pat". so cute. and dad, he still tells me everyday "i want to be VY like uncle scott calls me.

haha love you guys and kiss brad for me! cant wait to see you mom!!

Unknown said...

katie, as i read your notes from the day, i am reminded of christ's words where he turned to his well intending friends, and said do not stop them, but let the little children come to me. as you know our thoughts, our hopes and dreams are with you. your gift of sharing this journey with all of us is so amazing. thank you. steve

thefisherlady said...

Bless you dear... all I can say is God bless you...sigh... such beauty!

Joyful Le said...

What a treasure you are Katie - so glad you are my new "friend" :)

Tyler Brantley said...

Im just now reading your comments...and Kate...man this is awesome. I really dont know what to say, other that you remind me of Jesus. When He hung out with the sinners and the outcasts, people thought He was weird too. Its just astounding and girl I want to love like that. Its just beautiful. It really is. I praise God that He enables you to do this...even though this is a couple of years old...it still has Kingdom impact on the hearts of men and women. Keep Glorifying. Keep Proclaiming. Keep Loving.

Colossians 3:2