"Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage .... They go from strength to strength, til each appears before God in Zion." - Psalm 84
My heart is set on pilgrimage. I have given my heart to Him and He is leading. Everywhere we serve I feel the heartbeat of heaven, and I leave a piece of my mine.
In an indigenous village of huts and mud, with giggles and bubbles the Embera children captured a piece of my heart. Our children splashed in the river, ran barefoot on the rocks, slept on the wooden hut floors, shared life and the cultural differences melted away.
On the dusty windswept paths of Kenya, an AIDS orphan named Peter grabbed another piece. God used his life to change mine. We couldn't bring him home, but he opened our hearts to adoption.
Walking through the filth and trash, sharing God's love in the dumps of Honduras the joy of the children, despite the horrendous conditions captivated yet another piece. The hope of Christ shines brightly in her eyes, the only hope for this life that takes a child from the muck and reveals the jewel hidden inside.
The Ngobe, considered the forgotten of Panama snuck a piece while I wasn't looking. We continue to go back and share the hope of Jesus with these precious people, even while living in a different country. Their culture, their joy, the preciousness of the children, simply scream of a Creator passionate to reach His children.
I willingly gave a piece to the abandoned and unadoptable orphans in Thailand. Considered the refuse of the country to many, these precious children worship their Abba Daddy with pure joy and childlike faith. What the enemy meant to destroy them, God used to bring them into a relationship with Him. The orphans, part of the small percentage in Thailand that truly know their Father.
My heart continues to be given away, in life, in love, in joy, to the children of Costa Rica. They bless me more than anyone can imagine. Yes, my heart belongs to the children of the world. I have set my heart on pilgrimage. When I reach my final destination on this beautiful path of faith, may I blow bubbles, giggle, and rejoice with all of them before God in Zion.
48 comments:
Sarah Dawn,
There is nothing like the way a child can grip your heart and shape it, leaving you forever changed. Thanks for sharing your heart for children with us. I loved looking at these photos of all these beautiful children, all those precious little faces. I see Jesus there!
With joy,
Jenn
Oh my goodness, friend--there are no words to describe what those pictures do to my heart. They are incredible--and your words so powerful.
Thank you for sharing your precious heart and your amazing journey in the Lord. I cannot wait to see the doors He will open for your family in the future.
Sending you a HUGE hug.
I have really enjoyed this post - thank you so much for sharing! I, too, have a heart for adoption and keep praying for the Lord to open the way for us. We experienced the joy of foster parenting last year and saw Jesus in our twins faces every single day. There's nothing quite like it when a little one steals your heart away...
"And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Good News!" -Romans 10:15
Your heart's story is amazing. A surrendered heart to the Lord that brings life and hope to these people,especially the many children whom He loves dearly! God bless you and your wonderful family!
Children possess a gift of hope, don't they? You've both inspired me and humbled me in this post.
These children are so beautiful - all children are, actually :) Thank you for sharing the pictures!
Wow, I know you will blow bubbles with them in Zion before our Great God. I am set on pilgrimage also...I love to hang around the older generation, loving them with the love of Christ.
Blessings Sarah...
Those beautiful faces! And your beautiful heart for the Lord! Thank you!
Splashed indeed!
Gasp! Oh those faces! Oh my heart.
How sweet. I would want to bring them all home too.We are so blessed beyond our means sometimes.I have been heavy hearted about this as well and I Know God is getting me ready for the giving of a lifetime. Who knows what that will be but I'm ready. Have a blessed Monday
I am consumed with the face of each child...thank you for that post!
Jill from The Glen
Beautiful thoughts...
Loved the beautiful pictures.
Thank you for allowing God to use your big heart in a very special way.
By the way, did I mention I was a missionary kid to Thailand? You have certainly traveled the globe.
May God splash you with a few extra smiles and blessings today.
Dear Sarah Dawn,
They live so simply, but know how to find joy in life. I am touched. Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures of God's precious children.
♥Hope
Good Evening Precious Gift!
What a beautiful post of His love for all the children around the world! I love what He has done in and through you - by visiting each of these countries - living amongst them - serving them - caring for them - touching them - kissing them - hugging them - coloring with them and yes blowing bubbles with them!
May the seeds of your sowing grow a bountiful harvest for the LORD and all the world to see! May you continue to know the love of our Father - Abba Daddy who is watching you right now and saying - "Oh blessed daughter of mine - thank you for allowing Me to shine unto the least and often forgotten through you!"
Hugs and much love!
From one broken pot to the other!
Jill
Beautiful. You are blessed to have been able to share your time with these children from all over the world. I know that in a little village in El Mescatel Mexico, there were many children that captured my heart many years ago, and young mothers who were anxious to give their hearts to Jesus! I often wonder what those children (who would now be grown), are doing for the saviour today!! God Bless
Amazing. The love is just flowing from God and through you to these children. I wish I could take every one of them home. Our hearts have also been opened to adoption... just waiting for God to open the door for us...
I love when God steals those pieces and gives them away. What a wondeful way He is using you! You have touched my heart.
What a beautiful post! THANK YOU for praying for my son Josiah! It blesses my family. In Jesus, Alida w5
Sarah, Your heart is amazing and those pictures made me cry!
Christy
Hi Sarah Dawn! I'm so glad you stopped by my blog! I love meeting new blog pals!!
I have to say that this post was beautiful!! I bet it breaks your heart every time you have to leave!
It's amazing how open other people/children are to hearing the Gospel!!! I can imagine how many hearts you have touched!!
So glad to have met you!
Thank you so much for leaving me a comment on my blog. I know that there are people who stop by... but they don't all leave a message. When sharing personal things in my life, it feels good to "see" the people whom I have touched with the great loss in my life.
I pray that God will bless you immensely.... your heart is so BIG for these precious children!
Love and Blessings,
Jenny
I loved your photos...and your heart-felt post!
This was so beautiful.
Thank you so much for sharing these precious pictures with us.
When I was an MK in Thailand, I used to go to the orphanages every 2 weeks to rock babies and play with the toddlers. Those kids are forever ingrained in my mind.
Thank you for this post. My heart is sharing in this with you. I feel the same way when we go to guatemala and I wish I could just bring them home... it swells in my heart for adoption. Just as God has adopted us as his children when we are born again in him.
These pictures are great!!! Seriously!
Sister Sarah, I just want to share a blog award with you and if you feel like picking it up, pls. come over when you get a chance. God bless you and your family.
WOW! You are doing some powerful work for the LORD. May God continue to bless you and your family.
Thank you for joining me on my site. I have now joined you and I look forward to your updates.
Have a praise filled day!
Amy
"Whoever welcomes a litle child like this in my name welcomes me." Matt. 18:5
"Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Matt. 25:40
Good reminder that God evaluates our love for him on the basis of how we have loved his other little ones. Good post.
Do you know why I feel drawn here time and time again? Because you are genuine. Many people can write beautiful words, but you write beautiful words onto peoples lives.
It is an honor to be given the chance to splash a bit in your river of life
Sarah Dawn, your heart is in beautiful pieces!!!!! And it's fused as well to the Heart of our Father God!!
You are his heartbeat, precious one.
I am so touched and inspired by love for the children of this world!
Beautiful, beautiful post Sarah Dawn! I love reading about your travels! I'm praying for the children this morning....my heart breaks for them and I just want to pack it all up and go be an advocate for them.....find them all loving homes. I know already what you would say to me, so instead I am filled with peace, as always when I hear from you!
Hey friend--check my blog--I have a little surprise for you.
Hey Sarah Dawn! Thanks so much for visiting me. It's a wonderful surprise to see you're in Costa Rica. I was born in Costa Rica but I live in the States now. Someday I will go back to visit my family and friends. This is a beautiful tribute to the children of the world. Looking forward to getting to know you.
Sarah Dawn,
Please stop by my blog today for an extra special surprise just for all your wonderful hardwork. Thanks again for your blessings you give me each time you comment.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I am amazed, you are leading a blessed life!! :o) God will surely reward you for all of your beautiful and life-changing help!!! I think I speak for everyone when I say YOU INSPIRE US <3
What a beautiful post!!! Thank you for sharing, and inspiring me to open up my own heart!
Grace and Peace,
Angel
So glad you found ME, so I could find YOU. What an annointed post, and what a call to me. Thank you.
Come by anytime!
Beautiful children and beautiful post! Amy
Thank you, Sarah Dawn, for liking my slippers. I thought some funny girl out there might actually tell me they looked like old lady slippers. Of course, if they did, I could only be happy that they felt sisterly/friendly enough to tease me. They are a cranberry-red color and are really so pretty.
I greatly enjoy how you come by to splash me; it is so refreshing.
Thank you for your words of encouragement. I know I need to look to God for my strength. It is easy to eat when I get stressed, but I know how much better it is to go to God, instead. He brings true satisfaction and fulfillment. I liked your, “Eat lots of fruits” comment.
Thanks so much for being so sweet.
♥Hope
Sarah Dawn,
WOW! I love your blog. You have a precious family. We have so much in common. First and foremost our desire to see His Kingdom come:) I have visited Costa Rica. I studied Spanish in school and have been on a few mission trips in Central America. I am so excited for what you are doing for the Lord. I love the photos. They touch my heart. Right now, my husband is in a career change, but our heart has and will always be the mission field. Now, our mission is in the States. Thanks for refreshing me today with your heart to go all out for God. I look forward to coming back by your blog. Blesings and great strength to you today sister, Laurie
I am truly blessed that you stopped to cause me to find you!!! Yes, let's stay connected and I would love to hear more of your heart. When you have a moment, send me a message sharing more of you. Lovingly, Yolanda
Sarah Dawn,
Thanks for visiting my site. I was having difficulty with the "followers" button causing my site not to open up, but it seems to be resolved so I posted it now. I am going to come back here soon because I know I will love it. I want to be a missionary deeply, but my husband has no desire so I am waiting on the Lord to move me or move him. Anyway, beautiful children and thank you for serving My Lord!
I just love your blog for reasons like this. It's completely evident where your heart is, and it challenges the rest of us too! Thanks for that!
So... you've been tagged in the Sixth Photo Challenge. Hop on over to my blog and take a look at my 6th photo- it should give you a good laugh today!
Julianne :)
Wow your passion for helping is wonderful. My father is from Costa Rica, how long are you there for?
Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment. What a joy to read thru your most recent posts. I am hooked and cannot wait to ride the waves with Splashin Glory!
These photos, those words, and hearing your heart in this post are quite touching!
Blessings from Hong Kong!
Kim
Hi Sarah Dawn, I'm so glad to meet you here. I've been so blessed to read through your blog. What beautiful posts. Such a beautiful way to live out this life as a servant to our God. God Bless, Kim
Amen, the children are such precious blessings.
I'm so glad you left a comment on my blog. It made it possible for me to find yours. I have much reading to do to catch up...but I'm particularly interested because I've felt a longing to a.) Visit Costa Rica b.) get our family involved in missions work each year. One of my friends goes away for 2 months every year to help in another country. I think it would be a wonderful opportunity for our family. And we are praying for guidance on this.
Children are such a blessing and what a gift to be chosen to bring them the truth.
May you and your family continue to be blessed and feel the peace and love that can only come from Him.
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