My experience so far on this trip has been absolutely incredible. These past two days have changed me and affected my heart. It is amazing to see God working here at this place. The residents each have such beautiful personalities and I can’t wait to get to know them better! One thing that I know I will remember forever about this trip is the kindness, humility, compassion and love for God that these people have. I cannot even imagine the things that they go through every day (for some of them pain, rejection, and especially wishfulness of the things that they don’t have) and yet I think their faith is stronger than mine!
The first memory that I made was when I went on a walk with a man named Scott. He had trouble speaking to us sometimes but he tried so hard! I was reminded of the fact that the residents are just like you and me. Despite their disabilities, they have as many if not more emotions as us. They have likes and dislikes and favorite things. Above all else, just like us, they only want to be loved and to feel like they matter, which I think our group is accomplishing pretty well! Hearing them sing worship songs by memory warms my heart and fills me with a love for them and the things God provides for them. It’s by instinct to have pity for them, but I think Jesus shows them His love a little extra in amazing ways! There are so many qualities I see in them that I know I need to work on myself. They are confident, faithful, loving, passionate and kind like no one else. They pray confidently despite their speech incapabilities, which some of us take for granted and are still nervous to pray in front of people. My heart fills with joy when I spend time with them and these past few days have been incredible! Praying that the time doesn’t go by so fast, as one of the residents Gary Lee says!
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