Come and Listen.

All the boys are home this weekend.  So instead of the normal five boys here we have all ten.  It is usually a full house, but with this addition, we are bursting at the seams.  It is crazy, and loud, and a bit smelly in crowded rooms.  But more than anything- this house is ALIVE, JOYFUL, and FREE.  I have had trouble seeing these things because I have been under the illusion that I am too busy.  Too many meetings or too much paperwork or too much thinking.  God has been telling me to slow down.  To come towards Him and listen.  To come and see what He has done, what He is doing, and what He has promised us He will do.

Today I took the time to look, and I saw.  Today I took the time to listen, and I heard.

We set down as a family to talk about school, how our days are going, what we are learning.  We laughed, danced around and acted like kids, and sang.  At the end we prayed as a family and this is what I saw and heard-

"God thank you for rescuing us from the streets.  Please give us wisdom and understanding for our days.  May you be our number one.  Protect us always, may we always trust you." - Timothy

"God we know that even our biggest problems are nothing for you.  You can do anything and you will always be with us.  Thank you for our family." -Richard

"God we praise you.  Thank you for putting us in a school and protecting us." -Sam

"God, for so many of our friends on the street they have been sick and have died.  For some they are still there being abused and beaten.  But, we thank you God for picking us and putting us in a good home. We thank you." -Edwin

"God, thank you for giving us sponsors that help us go to school.  Thank you also for giving us food and a family" -Bwanika

"God, thank you for our aunties and uncles and for how they help us. Thank you for sponsors to send us to to school. Please help us learn to read better and glorify you." -Emma

"God, we praise you for our family. Thank you for such a loving family. Thank you for my brothers, my uncles, and my aunties. Thank you for taking us from the street and from our bad places. Thank you for your freedom." -Morris

" God, thank you so much for those that give us advice and wisdom.  I pray that we can practice these things in action.  Thank you for protecting us God." -Fahad

"God, for so many of my friends I don't know where they are, but I thank you for these brothers that are here.  Please protect us.  May we be strengthened by your word Father.  Nothing is impossible for you Jesus.  Break every chain." -Ivan

"God, please help us in our school work.  Please be with our sponsors and thank you for all of our family." -Fred

Thank you Jesus. Thank you for always seeing us in everything we do.  Thank you for hearing every prayer of every one of your children.  I pray that we never miss the opportunity to come and listen.  Give us the eyes and the ears to receive your Kingdom.