September season.

You all know I get to work with kids, this is why I set up this blog. There are so many things that happen throughout the day with these kids, lessons that God shows me through the silliness of children. I wish I had someone I could share them with during the moment that would write them down... basically, have my own personal recorder of special moments. Haha, this sounds a bit ridiculous, but I imagine as you read this you might be reflecting on some of those past moments in your life when you wish you had record of them. 


Since I brought the skateboards out in July, the kids have absolutely been loving learning to skate. I tell you the truth, then start riding them when they wake up and all throughout the day they remind me that 'we' are going to the skate park at 5pm... its funny! I came home from being out at dinner the other night and the older boys were at the gas station down the street practicing tricks off of a big curb, and one of the boys borrowed a camera to get some cool pictures. Then I went with them to the skate park again, where they practiced their grinds and manuals. (For a definition of these tricks, please ask your local skater... haha) 


I walked to the beach the other morning with four of the younger boys, we went to an area where there weren't to many people so they could run around and be  crazy. They are really good at doing just that! It was low tide and there were little pools for the kids to lay in, and fast little crabs for them to chase around. They are learning so many life lessons, like, what sand feels like in their eyes and how to get it out with water instead of rubbing their eyes with sand fingers to alleviate the pain. 


I just had two good friends arrive, and I went to pick them up at the Surf House from our church yesterday. When I was leaving our orphanage, the girls asked if my friends were 'boys or girls' and as soon as I said boys, they wanted to come. hahah!! SO, I brought them with me and they had an opportunity to swim in the pool at the surf house. They had no bathing suits so they went in all their clothes. They were talking and laughing, having a great time giggling as people walked by. Teenage girls are like Martians to me, how the heck does anyone understand them?? 


Also, please check out this video clip, it gives a great example of life with the kids... running around with them and stuff. It is from Send Ministries, they had a team of 6 that came out for three weeks and I got to take them to some great places. 


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llB32Tb5GEA


Blessings and love,
Richard


P.s. Thank you all for your prayers and support, I cannot tell you how much of a blessing you all have been with words. Perhaps the smile on my face in the pictures and video will paint a picture of the joy I am afforded of, being here with the kids. 


P.p.s. The journey the Lord took me on today :)

"I will be very glad to spend whatever I have, I'll even give myself for you. Do you love me less because I love you so much?" 2 Corinthians 12:15


When Paul talks about being 'spent' for Jesus, he is referring to giving all he has, even his entire life to see the kingdom of God grow. Jesus says in the 'Great Commission'  to 'go and make disciples of all nations...' (Matthew 28:19), so, if Jesus says this, I should do it.  But, Jesus also says in Luke 14:33 'unless you forsake all you have you cannot be my disciple...'. If then, He says I should go and make disciples of all nations, shouldn't I be one myself? Then, what does it mean for me to make and be a disciple- well, I think it means to let go of all I have, to live fully surrendered and gladly be 'spent' that His glorious kingdom may spread. I will be stoked if the actions of my life are a picture of being happily spent for Jesus.