Oh, Sweet Child Of Mine.

            A year ago when I first landed on African soil, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I was excited and ready for whatever God had for me. It was my first time out of the country, and I remember how new everything was. I took everything in, and of course had to try all the food. It was yummy by the way. :) I can still smell a mix of the different foods in the air, and the insane traffic was scary. I remember being shocked at how different it was. In the midst of all of this, I still felt like I was in the most beautiful place. I remember walking to the orphanage for the first time, and feeling helpless because I couldn't help all of the families in the village. My heart just broke every time I saw a child without clothes on or without food. I was so frustrated because I couldn't do anything to help or change their situation. I was a college student, and I believed that I couldn't do anything because I barely had any money. Wrong. The first day at Acres of Hope, was overwhelming. Meeting all the kids, and playing games with them was so much fun. Then it happened, I will never forget the moment the Lord slapped me in the face.
           The most beautiful two year old I have ever seen in my life walked through the gates, and my heart about exploded out of my chest. She didn't make eye contact, and she wouldn't even shake my hand. She was absolutely terrified of me because I was white, but still every ounce of me was captivated by her. She never said a word that whole day, and wouldn't even let me hold her. That night, I asked Geoffrey her story. He said that she is an orphan, her dad passed away, and her mother was struggling to care for her because she is crippled. Geoffrey was doing everything he could for their family, but it was extremely hard for them because she couldn't work. He also told me that at one point Melody had a sponsor but dropped out. Everything in me just ached for this family, and before I went to sleep that night I just prayed that the Lord would reveal what action I was supposed to take. The following days I just began to sit by her, and I even begin to hold her in my lap. Everything I did, I would ask her to join me. Eventually she began to follow me around, and it became normal for me to hold her.

        This one little girl was changing the way I viewed life, and everything around me. I had no idea why I was so attached to her, or why my love for her was so strong. The day came for us to leave the orphanage, and every part of me just broke. I couldn't believe that I had to leave everyone that I had come to love dearly, especially Melody. When I came back to America the Lord was calling me to sponsor Melody, and I argued with him the whole time. My excuses were always different, I kept telling him, "I am a college student, I am barely making it financially myself." All he wanted from me was to trust him completely. That was tough for me, but about a month later I signed up to be Melody's sponsor. $45.00 a month gets my girl everything she needs, and I also get to help her family as well. What a journey this year has been! 

      This past May I had the opportunity to go back and see everyone at Acres Of Hope again. This year was much different, and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to experience it all over again. I was beyond excited to see Melody, and see the progress she had made. When I first saw her, she had grown so much since last year! She was talking, and laughing, and her smile was so much bigger. She has so much joy, and she also has such a big personality. Her brother was doing well, and her mom greeted me with tears, because she was so thankful to see me. I had given Geoffrey some money while I was there to help Melody's family, and with that money they were given new mattresses, and I will never forget the look on their faces. Such a small amount, can make a huge difference. It overwhelmed me what a difference it makes to a family when a child is sponsored. I believe with all my heart that Melody and her family has changed my life, more than I could ever change theirs. She is a huge part of everything I do, and I am so blessed that I get to watch her grow, and love Jesus more everyday. I now can't imagine my life without sponsoring my girl. I can't change a whole community, but I can change a course of one persons life. The Lord calls us to just say yes, and when we do say yes... he pours his blessings into our life. She is much happier, and I am too. My love for her grows more every day! She is so beautiful. If you would like to know more about how you can sponsor a child, please contact me. I would love to answer any questions! 

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?"-Matthew 6:25-27

The Harvest.

   Happy New Year Everyone! It has been awhile since I have gotten a chance to write one of these, because I haven't had the right words for awhile. I have stared at this blank screen for almost two months because I don't know how to put into words what's been happening in my life. So, I will of course try my best.

    Christmas break has come and gone, and it was quite possibly the most rested month I have had in awhile. I was able to get things done that had been sitting there for a whole semester, and also I was able to organize and plan for this new semester in the ministry. It was much needed peace in my life, and I am so thankful for the time I got to spend with family and friends. I was certain that since I had a month to prepare for the ministry this semester that things would run much smoother, and everything would be okay. I feel like no matter how much time you spend preparing for the ministry life, it's never going to go as planned. I think it's because it is all about God's plans and not yours. It is not about you or about what you want. This concept was such a hard one to learn, because I am such a planner. I plan and organize everything. Ministry is so spontaneous, and I always try and fight that part. The Lord clearly showed me over the break that it is not about what I want or how I feel. I was also asked the question, "Why do you do what you do?" Such a simple question right? Wrong. I could no longer answer, "It is what I love to do." I had to dig deep into my soul, and find out the answer. I prayed for weeks, and I honestly felt that God had forgotten about me. I would cry, and pray every single day waiting for him. I would get so frustrated and try to run from the question. I finally stopped praying, and gave up on the answer. I became bitter, and lonely. It wasn't until last Sunday did I finally receive my answer. One of my youth came up to me in tears and said, "Miss Karissa, thank you for changing my life, no one has ever come to where I live and told me about Jesus. I live in such a rough area, no one ever comes." In that moment, God slapped me in the face with this verse-Then He said to his disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few." I do what I do not because I love it, but if I don't go... who will? There are SO many kids that just get forgotten by the church because no one is willing to go to their soil, and tell them the gospel. This is something that has challenged me since that day, and every morning I remind myself, this is why I do what I do. It is one of the hardest verses I have ever had to live out. My life is crazy, and overwhelming 99% of the time, but the harvest is WORTH IT. So I have decided that my foundation verse for Martin Park Ministries is going to be Matthew 9:37. That way it is always going to be in my face as a reminder. So my question to everyone is where is your harvest? I challenge you to find your harvest, and when you do find it, reap your harvest. It will be the most beautiful, and life changing thing you have ever done. Pinky Promise. Now on to the fun stuff, the new schedule. :)

*Tutoring will be on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:00-5:30. 
-If you would like to help with this, please contact me! 

Prayer Requests:
Ministry:
*Kids to grow academically and spiritually as we pour into them on Tuesdays and Thursday.
*Kids financial/health needs to be met.
Personal:
*Financial needs to be met.
*Stay strong spiritually.
*Endurance. 

"The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few."-Matthew 9:37