Renewed

"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day."

2 Corinthians 4:16

This week has been one of rest, refreshment, and renewal. Although, at first I wasn't really that excited for it. Almost all of the staff had plans to leave for Kenya on Thursday evening to attend a wedding, so we didn't have the opportunity to go to Zirobwe. After connecting with the kids there so much last week, it was a struggle not to be slightly grumpy about not going. However, as often seems to happen, God got a hold of my attention. He brought to light the fact that recently I'd been kinda skimping on my time with Him. Don't get me wrong, I'd still take some time out of my day to read the word and study, but it had been a long time since I simply went and sat before Him. So, this week I was simply blessed in dwelling in His presence.

One thing that stuck out the most came from Ephesians 4,

 "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness."

Day by day, God promises to renew us. We can be made new in Christ; we are being made new. I don't have to be weighed down by my old self, because I have the option to run to my Father and lay it before Him. This is what He has to say in Isaiah 43:18-19,

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

God is my source of renewal. "Coincidentally," the first song that came on as I was preparing to write this post was "Made New" by Aaron Pelsue. It says, "I am made new; I am made clean. You have lifted all my burdens and the shame that buries me. I am made new; I am made free. You broke the chains that kept me bound. The curse of sin can't hold me down. By the power that raised you, I am made new." 

Now a quick rundown of the week: Monday we went to the babies home and helped out there. Tuesday we went to Jaja's Orphanage and had then had the opportunity to do a program with the neighbor kids that evening. They are so bright! It was a blast to hang around with them, feed them, and play games with them. It's something we definitely want to keep doing in the future. Wednesday we went to the children's hospital, Katalemwa, once more, and on Thursday we helped out at the babies home again. Yesterday and today we've had "days of rest," which prove great for team bonding, movie nights, and getting some stuff done at least. But it's definitely been a blessing! God is good!!

Blessings!