Break my heart for what breaks yours...

I have sat and tried to think of something to write about this... and its just so hard to put my heart into words. I recently read the book Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis. First off let me say, I think every Christian needs to read this book. Allow your eyes to be opened to the needs around you. Allow your heart to be changed. Don't let this book be one of those that you say "Oh I'll read that eventually." Do it NOW! Don't wait another minute and miss out on the greatness of having your heart changed by reading this book.

Katie chose to leave her "comfortable" life to move to Uganda to do mission work. She shares her experiences and the things that she has seen while there. And the life changing realities of the things we take for granted every day! While reading this I started thinking of the mission trip that changed me....

I have always had a heart for missions, there has always been compassion in my heart for those around me. Recently, I know this is pathetic, I learned the sad truth that not everyone has this trait. Not everyone sees the needs of others and wants to help, not everyone hurts when they see others hurting. I do. Daily my heart aches for those that are hurting or suffering. I hate seeing other people hurt. One of the hardest things I have ever done was go to Matamoros, Mexico and help with a Foster Home that housed around 15 children. There is an American woman and her mother who left their comfortable lives to go to Mexico and care for children. They have a home that they take in some orphans, and many of the children there - their parents drop them off for periods of time that they cant care for them, or they leave to work, or just so the children can go to school. These are months of these children being separated from their families. One child changed my life. Hugo was his name. I still remember his face, and his precious smile. Crying right now just thinking of him. When we first arrived, he had so much hatred and anger in his heart. He wouldn't speak to anyone, started fights with the other children.... and God showed me his hurts. He broke my heart for Hugo, just like His broke for him. This child was hurting, he was angry, he was left with strangers by his family because they couldn't care for him. I'm sure in a child's eyes it is not possible to grasp why his parents could just abandon him there. He had to of been terrified, let alone have a any idea what his future would hold. How frightening, and how lost he must have felt. God showed me ways to get Hugo to let me in, he called me stupid and dumb at first... making fun of me in any way possible in the meanest ways he could. But I didnt give up, didnt quit him. He was pushing to see if I would stick it out, to see if I was really there. And slowly but surely this precious child that God loved dearly came out! He began to smile, he even HUGGED ME often!!! I just began pouring into him as much as possible in my time there, telling him how awesome he was, how funny his jokes were... I wanted to build him up in every way I could! I hope I did something in Hugo's life for the better, and hate that I was never able to follow up with him. (I tried sent several letters, and never received any response back) But the funny thing is, he changed me. He made my life better!!! It wasn't just about me doing something for Hugo, God was using him to do something for me. I will forever be changed by this beautiful Mexican boy, and will never forget all he taught me. God does something not just for the people your reaching out too, but he wants to bless you in that as well!!! Your missing out on blessings by ignoring the needs and hurts of others. Pray that he breaks your heart for what breaks his, and do something about it!