It's the Little things

"Auntie, Auntie look at my pajamas!" "Auntie, Auntie look at what the Lord has given us!" "Auntie, Auntie don't I look smart!" (Smart = Beautiful) These are the phrases the children would say with excitment as they found there new bags with there very own items in them.
My job began Tuesday evening. We arrived at the camp in Indianna a day early. Our job was to prepare the rooms and bags for the children. We packed bags, equivalent to athletic bags, with items such as underwear, tank tops, socks and a tolietry bag as well. Five pair each. We layed the bag along with a nap blacket on the Children's beds, in preperation for when they arrived wednesday.
Wednesday the adventure began. The chilren along with the African chaperone's arrived. We picked them up at Chicago's O'Hare International airport. We loaded the bus and drove through Chicago to arrive at our camp in Indianna. The Children's eyes were wide as we passed tall buildings, billboards, other cars...especially hummers. (By the way Chicago is pronounced Chee-cago; at least by the children) We arrived at our camp and the surprises began.
There first surprise was the bag I mentioned previously. And what a surprise it was. It would be an injustice to compare it to our Christmas gifts because we are thankful for things but most the time we are not truly grateful. There is quite a difference and these kids were truly grateful! They had no idea the next day they would be recieving new outfits as well. Bear in mind the only thing they came over with was the clothes on there back. Thursday we were all assigned three or four children and we fitted them with clothes that had been donated. Nice clothes. The children were so excited. "Auntie, Auntie these are my best clothes. I am going to wear them again tomorrow!" They were so grateful! And there was still more to come. Friday we took them shopping for new shoes. Shoes are a big deal to Africans. They take care of their shoes like we take care of our vehicles... like some of us who care about our vehicles take care of our vehicles. To top it all off after our outting to Wal-Mart we bought ice-cream/popcicles from the store next door and oh how the children enjoyed those.
Soft grass, hot showers, warm beds, beds we don't have to share, toothpaste, lotion we do not have to share, toilets that flush, food and plenty of it at our finger tips, etc... all things we take for granted. One boy said, "Auntie the grass is so soft I could roll in it!" One girl, said "Auntie look at what the Lord has given me." That quote has resonated in my head. All these things we take for granted as Americans and truly the ONLY reason we have them is because the Lord blesses us with them. He does not have to. He is the Lord and he will show mercy to whom He shows mercy. I am gratefull and becoming more grateful for the little things...especially as the Lord reveals Himself in the little things. I had asked the Lord to make me grateful for the small things and he sent me the African
Children's Choir.