I’m just a young, inexperienced girl trying to be a good helper.

             This has been the most challenging trip to Liberia so far.

Hearing the very unexpected news about the death of Marie, a few days after I arrived. Seeing that some boys were missing from the home, only to find out they just didn’t want to obey the rules, so they left. Seeing the schools end of semester grades, with most of the kids having incomplete assignments and exams. And to top it off, we’ve been having issues getting all the food to the home on time.

Phew! The devil sure is hitting me from every angle here, all at once.

Am I really helping? Or am I just complicating a very simple solution? Is there even a solution? How do I even begin to fix situations like these?

I’m just a young, inexperienced girl trying to be a good helper.

Paul writes to his young, inexperienced helper, Timothy;

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”

1 Timothy 4:12

I’m not sure what Timothy was thinking when he read this part of the letter, but ANYONE makes me point straight to myself. I am my biggest critic. When I start thinking I’m too young, I start to believe it as well.

But let me tell you something about these doubtful thoughts, they are not from God. Not one of them! God wants you to believe that all things are possible through Him. (Phil 4:13) Not only to believe that it’s true- but to live in that truth.

The letter goes on to relieve Timothy a little of all the pressure saying;

“Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholeheartedly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.”

1 Timothy 4:15

Praise Jesus! Hallelujah! PROGRESS!

Wait, progress? Did I read that right? God, didn’t Paul mean the finished product?

I hear God say,

“Molly, progress is what I look at, not perfection. Continue to give Me all of your heart daily and serve Me in everything you do. When you do this, people will know that your progress came from only My hand.”

Oh man, how sometimes the progress I make in the home seems so slow. Then God reminds me of all He has done and all He will do for these children. He not only has commanded people from all over to help them and pray for them, but He has promised them Eternity if only they believe. An Eternity with no hunger, no thirst, no tears, the sun not beating down on them (which sounds really great right about now), shelter and so much more.

God has taught me many things here recently, but the biggest and most important is to keep my eyes locked in on the Kingdom.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.”

Revelation 22:12

To remember that I daily represent a God who loves the hated, forgives the unforgiven, strengthens with weak and heals the sick.

And even when things go wrong (and they always will), I will know that God is still working behind the scenes.

Paul ends the chapter by saying;

“Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.”

1 Timothy 4:16 

If my life shows Christ then I pray the kids of Mother Blessings will want their lives to show Him as well.

I know that one day when we talk about Marie, the room won’t be full of silence. I know that the boys (who have come back) will start obeying and incomplete exams will be replaced with straight A’s. I know that I will make mistakes, but I also know tomorrow is a brand new day.

And even though none of these problems will not be solved within a three month trip, the kids know I won’t give up on them. If hope is all this young, inexperienced helper can give them…that’s enough.