Thank God for the Experience

Our days started with a wonderful breakfast and by 9:00 we would be on our way to our morning work assignment. Our group usually worked at Christian Outreach International's (COI) Base Camp or Simply Speaking, a school for teaching English as a second language. Our jobs were not physically demanding which was a good thing; because after lunch we would go to children's homes, refugee camps or Gypsy camps to present the Word of God, do crafts, and pass out toy bags and hygiene kits to children and adults.

Today was day five of our trip, mid week. We had been away from home just shy of a week. We had been blessed with glitch free travel, everyone was healthy, our accommodations were better than I had dreamed and our group was supportive, positive, and willing to do any task that was asked of them.

On this day we had all finished our work detail for the day, and had a wonderful lunch of chicken rice soup and fruit dumplings doused with melted butter and sprinkled with chocolate powder and sugar, everyone's favorite. We were taking a large bus with the work crew from COI. They were coming along to teach the children some songs they had prepared. We were on our way to the Gypsy camp.

Our bus took us into a city neighborhood with a series of high-rise apartment dwellings, very similar to what you might see in a poverty stricken area of any urban city. Clothes were hanging from balconies with doors wide open. Buildings were in need of repair and fresh paint. There was sparse playground equipment in desperate need of repair amidst patches of grass and weeds. As our bus pulled up to the curb, we could hear high pitched screeches from children as a swarm of them, dark haired with dark complexions, ran to the fence. They were beautiful! Their smiles were so genuine and their eagerness excited me.

We carried in bags full of balls and other equipment to play with the children. It seemed difficult to get them engaged in any activity at first. A few of the children played jump rope, but many just stood around. Next we handed out individual bubble containers. Some would not take the one that was handed to them unless it was the color they wanted. Some of the children hid theirs and would come back for another bottle. It was a very stressful situation.

After about an hour of play, the children were seated and a group of COI's work crew began the program by teaching the children the songs they had prepared. Our group presented the skit which seemed well received. After the skit, we broke into small groups to do the crafts we had provided. The craft construction seemed rushed and the children had no interpretation of what they were making or any explanation of its significance. I wished I had realized it at the time because the next thing I witnessed stunned me and broke my heart.

Our group started passing out the toy bags to the children and the hygiene kits to the adults. Some bickering took place and many of the children and adults expected both bags. As we cleaned up, I threw things in the garbage container. I saw many of the craft projects we had just completed stuffed in the trash! I was shocked, hurt and felt personally slapped in the face. I thought that these people were the most ungrateful humans I had ever met. I was crushed and angry. I picked up what I could and carried it to the bus. I sat in a seat by myself and looked out the window as tears ran down my face. I was questioning God. I prayed that He would give clarity to me and help me see His purpose in this experience.

As the bus drove us back to the Czech countryside I continued crying and praying. As I sat there quietly, it hit me! I thought about the many, many times I had "stuffed" God into the trash container, turned my back on Him, rejected what He had wanted for me or from me and all the times I had not responded to situations in a "Christ-like" manner. How many tears had he shed over me, more than I can every count, I can assure you of that. Never once has He turned His back on me, given up on me or told me how ungrateful I was for His constant love and salvation. He forgives me always without question. He has had a purpose for me since my conception and has never questioned it or given it a second thought! What a wonderful, merciful God we have! His grace is abounding.

I thank God for the experience of the mission trip and I would also like to thank all the people who made it possible for my trip to the Czech Republic. Without your prayers, financial support and behind the scenes preparation, it would not have been the positive blessing it has been to me. I ask one favor of each of you. Pray for the children and adults we had the privilege of working with. Pray they will one day feel and understand the love of our Lord and that they will find their purpose in life through Him and know that they too are guaranteed eternal life!

Charlotte Forr