No, I am not traveling to Egypt...at least not anytime soon. Egypt is a young girl that lives in the Shelby Park neighborhood. Egypt and I hang out most days I am at the park. We play tennis, soccer, throw the frisbee, and make each other friendship bracelets; Egypt is 8. It may not seem like much and many times I wondered "How is this my ministry within the park? Am I even really showing anyone God's love? Am I wasting my time and God's?" At least until the other day. Egypt and I hung out with her younger brother Rio and practiced our soccer skills. The YMCA just happened to be at the other end of the park giving out free hotdogs. YUM!
Now, Egypt and her siblings are not allowed to go to the opposite side of the park without their mom of their older brother. So, I asked if it would be okay for me to take them over there. This is where everything changed. I was given permission to take Rio and Egypt to the other side of the park. This is huge! The parents of these kids, who I still have not officially met yet are trusting me to take their children to the other side of the park and return them safely.
As we walked to the pavilion located on the opposite side of the park I began to ask Egypt and Rio how they liked their hotdogs and how school was going. They gave me the typical kids answer of "School is good and I like ketchup! LOTS OF KETCHUP!" However, out of the blue Egypt turns to me and says "You are like my older sister that I never had. Oh, but don't tell anyone! It's our secret." At this point God had answered all of my previous questions. I was some how impacting the lives of these children, especially Egypt. I pray that one day I will get to explain to them why I love them and want to show them love even though I do not know them personally. I am excited to see where this friendship goes and yes, I wear my friendship bracelet she made me (almost) everyday.
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