Yesterday I took the little girl I babysit to the San Francisco Zoo. It was such a delight, not just to see the beautiful smile of a child when she interacts with the animals, or the laughter when the penguins make a funny noise, or the faces she makes when she realizes that the animals sometimes don't bathe and therefore smell. But there was another beauty that came out of the trip to the zoo.
We got there fifteen mins, before they would let us in. However there is a gift shop that is open for visitors to have the option of spending their time and money before allowed going into the actual park. There we find ourselves enjoying a lolli-pop. Also, just past the building to pay for parking there is a fence in which over looks the "african savanna." How delighted I was... you think that I was a little girl looking at such fascinating creatures that I have never seen before. There were two adult giraffes and one child. There were having their morning snacks. An image in which I feel like I have only imagined. Right before my I eyes, I see a numerous amount of african animals.
My heart began to feel heavy. heavy for those who live in south africa. those who are dealing with everyday struggles whether that is sickness, food, loneliness, or in the midst of political battles. My heart started to beat as a intercessory prayer for those.
My heart was also heavy. For God placed this opportunity and this call to go out and serve. Now writing this blog, I feel conviction. Even though I was called to serve on the foreign mission field in this short term trip, how have I currently served those who I live amongst everyday.
"father, hear my heart, hear my cry. father as I prepare for this trip I ask that you would also prepare my heart in serving others. lead me and teach me in this moment and in moments to come." anyways, I confess that I have a burden that my finances wont come in, I wont make the deadlines. This is a fear in which I hide, for we are to call upon the lord and trust. But I am scared, so I pray that he too will heal this burden in my heart. Allow my thoughts, actions, and hope surrender to you! at the same time, we are called to pray.
So I pray for the people that the group will encounter. I pray for the group members for most of us do not know each other. I pray that your spirit will be upon us. I pray that you will press on the hearts that are to lead and those who are supposed to give. I pray for the safety and the lives that will be changed. our lives will be changed. father, let your glory shine through out the nations.