Good morning!
After a relaxing night at the bonya and not getting our usual amount of sleep this week, waking up for another day (Thursday) was difficult. However, being the last day of camp we tried to make the best out of the situation. Natalie had to take care of Sasha in the morning and she taught him how to blow bubbles. Meanwhile in small group I gave out gifts to the kids. They were really happy to receive the gifts from us and Yaslav said thank you to me with his picture book. We even had time to fly a kite in the afternoon! In the afternoon Nat and I taught Oleg how to say "holy poop" which was highly entertaining for a good 45 minutes! Oleg is a really smart kid and it was awesome to get to know him this week.
AS a goodbye from the camp we all got "passports" to the camp. It was touching to hear them say thank you to us and I am sure that I was not the only one thinking that that we should be the ones thanking them. The moms gave us all flowers made out of beads. These moms are so incredible and it was amazing to see how they have been impacted this week! Soon after, many of the campers sang songs with their small group. Some of them who can barely talk were singing with all of their strength to muster just a small sound. These people had to try so hard just to sing. Then I looked at myself.... I love to sing and it comes so easy for me. I am so blessed to be able to sing with ease and yet I take this gift for granted. I soon found myself wanting to give my voice away, and give it to these people because I know they would not take it for granted. They would give anything to be able to speak, to sing and to praise God with the sound of their voices. I didn't want my voice anymore. I wanted them to have it... But then I realized that God is pleased to see them praise Him without a voice. He smiles down on them despite their lack of voice. I was blessed with this gift and I realized that I need to use it for God's glory.
After being with the campers this week how can I not want to praise God with hands that I can move, legs that I can walk with, eyes that I can see with, a face that I can smile with, a mind that I can think with and a voice that I can sing with. After all, none of it is mine... It's all Gods! I will not be taking these things for granted anymore. This week God has opened my eyes to see his glory, his blessings, his power, his love and his forgiveness in ways I could not have imagined. Slava Bogu!
Blessings to all of you,
Ashley
