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Todays notes are from Kathie and Honey, please take time to read and perhaps wonder if indeed it is time for you to come be God's hands and feet in the flesh in this far away land called GIBTK (aka South East Asia)
Here is Kathie's;
I am so blessed to be part of GIBTK in every way. One of our special joys is sponsoring a dear girl named Diep! And even more so getting to know her and spend time with her on my last two trips. I'm not sure who was more excited about this trip, Diep or me!! This time feels like an extension of a very special relationship that I am blessed to nurture and care for her!! A recent post from " A Holy Experience" today touched me -
"The best use of time is to freely love.
The best way to love is to spend time.
The best time to love is always right now."
Always right now!! That's all that we are assured of is right now. Why waste a moment!
It is such a joy to love her and see her grow in new experiences and enjoy life!! A true opportunity to speak into her life, nurture all her wonderful gifts and leadership potential! What an amazing way to show Gods love and a glimmer of what it's like to know Jesus!! I am so blessed!!
A very special note from my "BFF" Honey Pfleger! Honestly I am humbled and honored to read her words about the transformed lives she see and the maturing of GIBTK!
Honey Pfleger aka Dr. Ruth.... Read on to learn why;
A friend of ours posted this on his Facebook this morning and I thought it embodied the spirit of these 5 women that I am sharing this journey with....
THE BEST TEAMS ARE MADE UP OF A BUNCH OF NOBODIES, WHO LOVE EVERYBODY AND SERVE EVERBODY, AND DON'T CARE ABOUT BECOMING A SOMEBODY!
Oh where to begin? Our family's first visit to Vietnam was in 2009! Each day I am humbled by the work GIBTK has accomplished. The changes in the hearts of those we have followed, LOVED, supported and encouraged are showing such great fruit. Their smiles are bigger, their eyes are happy and bright, their dreams are becoming a reality, and they have HOPE! Not to mention there ENGLISH, wow! I always think of hope being equally important to us as breathing. Without either, hope or breathe we parish.
This trip has been different for all of us as we came to share and answer ANY personal questions and concerns the young women in the GIBTK homes may have. As you can imagine there were many questions regarding puberty, sex, love, female issues, along with self-protection against unwanted male attention. Also, wanting us to share parts of our lives where we have made mistakes, what we have learned, and taking all those lessons to move on and make better choices.
In Vietnamese culture they do not talk openly about any of the above issues. As American women I'm sure we answered their questions and more. I have been affectionately dubbed the "Dr. Ruth" of Vietnam! There were a few times I think we challenged our translators with our information and explanation of our graphic drawings. I am a firm believer that knowledge is power!
I love the fact that they look to us as moms and are comfortable to ask us these intimate questions.
Speaking of "mothers", mother Dorothea has been showered with love, poems, pictures, hugs, and prayers from not only the children, but the house mothers and staff as well. She has built strong relationships here along side Robert. There is so much trust, respect and love for her! She is an amazing woman, our "Dorothea The Brave".
Most importantly we give all the glory to our Heavenly Father and the amazing transforming power of Jesus that has truly changed the lives of these children.
I pray every good thing from above for you, your families and all these children of God here in Vietnam.
God bless you, Honey aka "Dr. Ruth" hahaha
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