For us this was a life-changing experience, and we are grateful for the opportunity. After spending two months with those kids, it was easier to say goodbye knowing we are returning to Bangladesh and will get to see them all again. We are also so excited to be even better friends and encouragers to the Kuehns, as we know a little more their daily blessings and struggles.
The idea of stepping into the Kuehn's shoes for two months sounded like a great and "true religion is this" thing to do--positive in every way. I wasn't prepared for the emotional reality of 65 needy kids and 10 staff members who need encouragement to keep going just like we all do. As a mom, I was so sad that there were, indeed, 65 orphans.
So much of the time, I wanted to meet all their needs--you know that "supermom" feeling where you feel like you could do anything for your kids to protect them and give them the best opportunities. But then you realize you're really powerless to do any of that, and you just have to entrust them to God over and over and over. Imagine feeling that to the 65th power. But where else do you want to be in your life than handing everything over and over to God? That's what I love about living in Bangladesh; it is so deliberate.
And God just continually reminds us that His ways are best. He gives us glimpses of the beauty of his church and his children. Like the family who sends each child a birthday card and small money gift--what a great idea! Only God could lay that on someone's heart to do. And in the kids' Bibles, they would have postcards and pictures of so many team members who have come through and ministered to them and been special to different ones. And then there are people from all over the world who give so generously to feed and clothe these kids and enable others to go as ministry teams. God's body is an amazing ministry of grace.
I catch myself a lot trying to make it "perfect" when perfect is what heaven is for--I want each of those kids to have godly parents and a strong home, but God's way is best. Probably if those kids had parents, they would most certainly not be Christians. I have to praise God that even though they are orphans they are His children, and I pray that these kids would continue to know the depth and breadth of that in their hearts. I think that's the best thing to pray for Home of Love; that's what they need the most. God knows that and He keeps reminding me.
So, thank you for giving us the opportunity to see God's hand and church body at work in such an obvious and firsthand way. We wouldn't trade our time at Home of Love for anything.
