Monday, September 9, 2013

Opening Day

It finally arrived!  After so much praying, fretting, praying, discouragement, praying, planning, praying, sweat and tears, praying, and hard work it happened.  GRACE Home for Children opened to receive 19 children.  (Two more have been accepted, but did not come yet).  And, what a celebration it was!

The guardians and pastors accompanied the children.  Justus, the mamas, and I went to the gate to welcome them home.  Pastor John Kenyi lead in a prayer then we proceeded toward the heart of the compound with singing and joy.  We were met by Fred and the cooks who joined in the singing and their sounds of joy (South Sudan alum, you know what I'm talking about).  We went into the dining room where the children were seated, there were introductions, and prayers.  After tea, we presented prayer shawls to the mamas and children.  These prayer shawls had been made by Bethel UMC and McClure Chapel UMC in the Big Stone Gap District while under the leadership of Pastor Robert and Denna Howard.  The children were so happy to get them.  

After that we introduced the mamas to their children, took them to their homes, and Fred did a blessing of each house. The pastors all prayed together for each house.  Jeannie Higgins and Dr. Mike Hartsell had brought us the UMC cross and flame symbol for each house and the mamas were presented with that and reminded that Jesus is always there with them.

(Due to the size of this file, this post is being sent in two parts.  This is Part I).