HOPE

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, HOPE." -Romans 5:1-4

I read these verses one day at the orphanage home. My mind automatically goes straight to the word suffering. Growing up was never hard. I never had to cook for myself, never had to wash my own clothes and never worried about having enough food. I never had to use the word suffer. I never even realized what the real meaning was until Africa, until I read this. The old me would say that I suffered in high school because of certain temptations..but now, I realize that suffering isn't something you put on yourself. I said yes to the temptations. I was "suffering" because of my own sin. The people here are suffering because they were born into this country, it's nothing they did themselves. But as I've always said and always believed, everything happens for a reason. The Liberians are suffering, but because they still give glory to God for the little that they do have, it gives them hope. A hope that I have never seen in someone before. The children in Mother Blessing and Victoria's home get one meal per day, but no matter what; they always give thanks to God for providing food for that day. They give God the glory in a situation that I have never had to live in. Sometimes I feel that people in America only give thanks to God when we have asked for something, and he's provided..not when we have NEEDED something and he's provided. Everyone I interact with in Liberia has the same look in their eyes, it says: "I'm suffering to provide for not only myself but also my family, but even so I rejoice in the glory of God who has given me hope for a new day." If I ever thought I had to suffer before, I know now that I was only being foolish. I cannot count how many times I have thanked God for blessing me. I am blessed with a family who loves Christ, friends who support my dreams and a house with everything I need. Even though the people here live in one room houses with no electricity and no running water, I envy their faithfulness to Christ. I am overwhelmed at the hope I see for a better tomorrow everyday here. Suffering produces hope, boasting in the hope of the glory of God is all these people have. But in the end, that's all you really need anyways.