Beautiful Souls

I was thinking about about all the kids that I have had as part my life, so I decided to post pictures of just a few of those kids. I have really been blessed, so many  beautiful souls from several different countries, and many different backgrounds. But they have one thing in common, they are all such gifts from God. 

Children seem to know whom they can and cannot trust. I have always loved when a child looks into my eyes with trust as I hold them.

One thing that really amazes me about children, is their joy. They smile so often, even when they are living in a war torn country like some of the kids in the pictures below.

I love how God can use even the smallest of children to teach. I have learned much from the children I have had the privilege of knowing. They are so pure and innocent and have true joy in the little things in life. I want to be more like a child in the way I live my life, finding joy in little things and living in the purity that God created us to live in.

I thank God for all these young lives that I have been able to be apart of and who have been part of my life.

Random Facts

 I was able to go to a wedding today, and as usual it was loud, full and fun! The groom's family are friends of ours, actually some of my closest friends here.

Being foreigners we have A LOT of attention that we don't want. They have camera men taking vidoes of the whole wedding, and because we are different they really enjoy taking videos of us. They seem to find it amusing to take videos while we eat.....I am not sure why, but they do. :) The bride and groom do not look as happy as my own sister and brother-in-law did on their wedding day. That makes me sad. The bride looks very sad and the groom doesn't smile during the whole wedding. It makes me want to pray for them, they need Jesus.

I thought I would tell you all some random facts about this country :

1. They drink tea all year, even during the summer when it is REALLY hot.
2. You can't sweep towards anyone, it is insulting the person because you are pushing the dirt towards them.
3. You can only eat with your right hand.
4. They love trying to make us dance at parties and weddings :)
5. You become more important than the father once you enter their home as a guest.
6. They guys hold hands (it just means that they are really good friends)
7. They love using oil for their hair. A LOT!! I thought i used a lot of hairspray, but they use more oil than I use hairspray.
8. They love to pinch my cheeks. It hurts!!!!
9. They don't smile for pictures.....unless you ask them to or say something funny right as you take the picture.
10. They try to fatten us up by making us eat a lot of candy and cake....and by drinking a lot of tea.

I think 10 random facts is enough for now, enjoy.

Jaynie 

Learning to Love the Poor

As I have returned to living in this country, I have been convicted of sin that has been in my heart. I have had a disdainful attitude towards the poorest of the poor, the ones whom we call “beggars.”

 In the last two weeks I have been trying to understand God’s thoughts on this matter.  I have seen that I have not loved them as I should, as my Savior Jesus has commanded me to. I have given them the money they ask for, but it has been with an unhappy heart. So I have been searching the Scriptures to see what God Himself says about this.

I found in James 2 this passage:

1“My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. 2 For if a man comes into your assembly with a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and there also comes in a poor man in dirty clothes, 3 and you pay special attention to the one who is wearing the fine clothes, and say, “You sit here in a good place,” and you say to the poor man, “You stand over there, or sit down by my footstool,” 4 have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil motives? 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: did not God choose the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?”

This passage really convicted me that I have been treating the rich better than I have been treating the poor. I have friends that are “richer” not RICH but not beggars either. I have spent time and effort at being with friends with them. But when it comes to the beggars I have not tried to show to them the true meaning of the Gospel. I find them hard to be friends with, because all them seem to want is money. I have not been loving to them. I give and RUN!

If the King of the whole universe can love the lowly, why can’t I? I am not any better than they. They have a soul that needs salvation just like I did until God give me salvation. I can’t just look at them as though they are not important, because they are very important. I need to stop turning my nose up at them like they are less important just because they have to beg for money. I have also had to beg. I need to remember those days as an orphan, begging for my siblings and me, and I need to use those memories and to love like I would have wanted to be loved.

I want to show to them the Gospel like it was shown to me by my parents. I want to show them that there is a hope and a future if only they turn to the right source. I want a love and a passion for the poor just like Jesus did. I want to make an impact on them in such a way that they can’t do anything BUT turn to the “truth, the light and the way.”

I will continue to search the Scripture for more understand in how to love the poor in a more Christ-like manner. Please pray for me as I ask God to teach me and fill me with His understanding and love.

Jaynie

More Pictures:



It was such a blessing to travel with my two favorite men EVER!!! I loved having them there to see all the places I would live and what my life would look like. I will miss traveling with them. They kept me laughing and happy on the way to my new home.

Jaynie

Returning!!!

I am getting ready to return to Central Asia in 5 days. I am both excited and sad at that thought. Much of me is really joyful to be returning and other parts are sad because I know that I will be leaving my wonderful family once again. It has been SUCH a blessing  to be home and to be able to spend the last weeks with my family. It has been a great reminder of what God has done in my life so far.

As I get ready to return I thought that I would post some pictures of my first trip. God was so faithful and gave me the gift of returning all of my pictures from my broken computer. So now I will post some of them for you all.

This little guys was one of my English and art students.

These two boys are cousins and REALLY good friends.

I fell in love with this little girl right away.

Jaynie



366 Project : #10

Something Greater Band

366 Project # 6-9

Jaynie