Bonding Time . . .

This week, while I have been house sitting for the Caldbecks who took their children for a surprise vacation, I have been able to spend a great deal of time at Ken and Mindi Heizer's house with their seven children. The time that I have spent at their house the past three days has been such an incredible blessing, and I learn more and more everyday. Ken has a way of describing things that I have heard over and over again in a way that makes it seem completely new.

Yesterday Mindi had two of her italian neighbors come over too bake cookies with the Heizer clan. While baking, Ken sat and read the passage about God being the potter, and we the clay in italian. So fitting for the days activities! He then compared it to the cookies that we were making. That without the hands to combine the ingredients, mold the dough, roll it out, put it in the oven and take it out, then the ingredients are nothing. The dough cannot move on its own, it cannot function. In the same way, we cannot function without the hands of Christ. Julia, one of the neighbors was soaking it up!

After cookies, the girls mother came over for coffee and instantly began to open up to Ken and Mindi about different struggles that she is facing. It was captivating to see how everyone was interacting so intimately and trusting, in a culture that would typically do the opposite. It is miraculous that the Heizer family is able to have such an open-door relationship so quickly that would cause their neighbors to have a desire to know more about the Lord and hear from the Bible.

Ken today said how our purpose is often secondary to God's. Again something that i have heard, but have seen in such a new light since I've been here. I came with the purpose of helping missionary families, to do whatever I can to allow them to minister more effectivly, and yet in coming i have learned so much already. God has completely reignited my desire to know Him, and my desire to learn more. He has opened my eyes the the fact that there is something new everyday, new people, new possibilities, and always something to learn. To come and see the passion for people that the Heizer family has has been incredibly encouraging.
Another conversation that took place was how so ofteen, we as people begin to take credit for that which God is worthy of. Instead of God speaking to the people, it slowly turns to "I" spoke to these people. I pray that I never get to that point, that I would never look back and believe that I am the one who is coming to help these families, but that it is God who is simply using me as a way to accomplish his plans. I cannot wait to see what changes may occur over these next few months.