Boersema Update

I have been wrestling a bit thinking of things to write for the Boersema Blog. Sometimes it's a challenge because there is not always something new to share. And it feels like I have been repeating the same sentiments in previous blogs.

Our days are quite routine, just like routine days for most of you in the States. You get up, go to work, come home, relax and on weekends there are chores, church and occasional activities. There are Bible Studies and gatherings and opportunities to do such things as going for walks. These are all good and important things but in a sense, not much new to report for now.

Grace at playgroup

We are still doing quite well. God has blessed us with content hearts and fulfilling work. He continues to affirm the call here for which we are grateful. We feel supported by you back home. We are serving with glad hearts and experience His presence in rich ways here. We praise God for His goodness in this place and in our lives.





Some news on our upcoming visit to the States....Ron and I will be coming home around mid February for the birth of our grandson due early March. We hope to stay in Michigan for around 5-6 weeks to spend time with that new little one, our kids and our other grandson. We look forward to time with family and friends very much. Grace will be coming to Michigan also but staying during the months of May and June to visit the new baby, family and friends and attend 2 weddings of her close friends.

This opportunity to go back home will be a wonderful time to see family, friends and reconnect and continue bonds with our kids and grandkids. But it will also be a time for us to reflect and explore what God might have in store for us after our 2 year commitment at Beautiful Gate. Yes, we already need to be thinking about that! There is a possibility of extending our time here but if God has a call somewhere else we will need enough time to find replacements and do some training before we go back home.

So, this is a small update on our lives. I hope to have something really exciting next time!  :)

Thank you friends and family for your continued prayers and support. We really feel blessed by them.

With gratitude and love,

Karen

Psalm 100:2 "Serve the Lord with gladness, come before His presence with singing.."

So much color and joy on the playground

This little guy kept falling on purpose and thought it was so funny!

How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise

"How Can I Keep From Singing Your Praise" is the song that is playing in my mind.

God is so worthy of our praise and I see glimpses of His beauty and glory in this place called Beautiful Gate.

Every day I witness the innocence and perfection of these little ones...once orphaned, abandoned and neglected.

One of our playgroup leaders took some of our children for a walk outside of campus through our neighborhood today.

Goin for a walk

They were so well behaved on this walk, partly because they listen to and respect the playgroup leader, but also because they were so mesmerized by the sights and sounds along the way.

Here are some things we saw on our walk:

Mud puddles from the recent rains.

Cows grazing.

Construction workers building a house.

Neighbors walking past.

Other children playing in a puddle.

The sounds of children playing at the neighborhood school.

And a few cars and trucks passing by.

The children were just taking it all in.  As I observed them; my thoughts drifted to thinking about their futures.

All of our futures are unknown. But the difference is, most of us do know who our family is. We do know where we belong.

What will happen to them? Will they join a forever family? Will they go back to their relatives in the village? Will they go to another care center for older children?

How will God be directing their steps when they leave Beautiful Gate?

We don’t know the answers. But for now, Beautiful Gate is where they belong and Beautiful Gate is their family.

There are days that I just stare out the window of my office and smile and have such a warm, blessed heart. I not only see beautiful scenery, but beautiful people.

No it’s not a perfect place, but some days it seems that way.

My view

I see little ones bringing their ball to Ron, so that he can kick it for them. They go and chase it and bring it back to him for another kick. They could do this for hours.

I see one of our office workers stop and talk to one of our older kids. I see and hear children who are playing outside at the preschool on campus.

I see our school aged boy walking home from school. He stops on the bridge as he often does, to look back at the office. He sees me…he smiles and waves.

I see so many things that bring a smile to my face and warmth to my heart. You may have read similar sentiments over the last several months about this place. But they are true and just plain indisputable. Some days my heart is overflowing and I can't help but share it and sing His praise!

How can this place with so many stories of heartache be so incredibly joyful and beautiful?

The answer is…the presence of the Living God.

Looking back to the first line of this blog…”how can I keep from singing your praise..” I ask myself, how can I not praise the God who shows Himself here? How can I not see Him in these children and in this staff? This place is here because of His love and grace and He shows Himself in so many ways.

The thoughts of this blog….they are my heart today and many of my days. I hope you, who are far off, get a glimpse of God’s beauty through those of us who witness this and walk it each day.

God is here. There is joy and beauty all around because of Him. To God be the glory! How can I keep from singing your praise!

Karen 

Grace loving