As I sit to write this update I can not believe that my time here in Ghana is almost over. It honestly feels like I just got here and that I could stay for another for another three weeks. These past three weeks have been incredible, hard, restoring and filling. It is an amazing thing that in our times of exhaustion that one of the kids would smile and quickly fill your heart again. That little giggles would break out at the just the right time. Getting to teach our younger four groups a wide variety of sports and games has been my highlight. Joy exudes from them in everything they do! Knowing that they will have new games to play for years to come that we taught them is one of the most rewarding things I have ever gotten to do. I can picture them now trying to kick balls through the tire wall and trying their best at crab soccer.
The phrase 'live in the moment' has crossed my mind many times a day here. These kids take that phrase to another level. The awe in their eyes as we call them by name or when they score for their team shows that they are enjoying every little thing that God gives them. We could probably just run in circles for the 45 minutes we have with them and they would give it every ounce of their being and enjoy it. How quick are we to get upset or become bored? What are we missing by not enjoying the little things that God give us? We have visited two churches with the kids while here and neither were great conditions but they worshiped with all they had living in the moment. They were simply living for God in the moment. We have had days of beautiful sunshine that we get to be outside and then days of rain where we have had to move inside but the kids do not care. They just enjoy the fact that we are here with them and that they get play sports with us.
There is joy in bracelets made of grass. One day this week one of the boys from our youngest group came to the field to say hello. As I sat in the grass listening to someone from my team lead the devotional I was playing with pieces of grass in my hands. At first it was to keep myself focused and help pass the time but God had something different planned. A few pieces of grass were long enough to tie into bracelets. I simply placed two pieces of grass around his wrist and his face lit up! He had something that was his from me and he felt loved. While it may seem silly he was living in the moment and found joy! Joy in grass.
It is my hope that I will try to live in the moment more when I get home. Enjoy everything as a gift and kiss from God and not become complacent. See grass and leaves as something more then what they are and live in the moments. That they may be captured in my heart and not through a phone screen.
Trying to live in the moment,
- Makenzie Dugger, University of Northern Colorado
To God be the Glory!
Apply to join a future MOAM Mission Trip!
Request a Clean Out For A Cause Donation Collection Box!
Make a tax-deductible, online donation to MOAM!
The phrase 'live in the moment' has crossed my mind many times a day here. These kids take that phrase to another level. The awe in their eyes as we call them by name or when they score for their team shows that they are enjoying every little thing that God gives them. We could probably just run in circles for the 45 minutes we have with them and they would give it every ounce of their being and enjoy it. How quick are we to get upset or become bored? What are we missing by not enjoying the little things that God give us? We have visited two churches with the kids while here and neither were great conditions but they worshiped with all they had living in the moment. They were simply living for God in the moment. We have had days of beautiful sunshine that we get to be outside and then days of rain where we have had to move inside but the kids do not care. They just enjoy the fact that we are here with them and that they get play sports with us.
There is joy in bracelets made of grass. One day this week one of the boys from our youngest group came to the field to say hello. As I sat in the grass listening to someone from my team lead the devotional I was playing with pieces of grass in my hands. At first it was to keep myself focused and help pass the time but God had something different planned. A few pieces of grass were long enough to tie into bracelets. I simply placed two pieces of grass around his wrist and his face lit up! He had something that was his from me and he felt loved. While it may seem silly he was living in the moment and found joy! Joy in grass.
It is my hope that I will try to live in the moment more when I get home. Enjoy everything as a gift and kiss from God and not become complacent. See grass and leaves as something more then what they are and live in the moments. That they may be captured in my heart and not through a phone screen.
Trying to live in the moment,
- Makenzie Dugger, University of Northern Colorado
To God be the Glory!
Apply to join a future MOAM Mission Trip!
Request a Clean Out For A Cause Donation Collection Box!
Make a tax-deductible, online donation to MOAM!