He is the Vine, I am the Branches

Since the beginning of November, I've been working in a group home with abused and neglected children ages 6-12. It is the job that i have dreamed of working at since I was a kid. I've always thought 'If I live in the states, I want do that job, but if i live in Haiti, I want to work with the orphans.' God provided such a great opportunity for me while living here in gorgeous San Diego. However, by all means my job is far from being easy. These 6 kids that I am a "mother figure" to are sexually abused, physically abused, and not cared for properly. Only a couple of them are even wanted back by their real parents. The rest are left to live in group homes and foster homes until age 18. They try to push every limit and test every staff to see how much they can get away with. They punch holes in walls, break windows, scream bloody murder, say "make me" when we tell them to do something, and call us and their peers every name in the book. It's no surprise that they're so messed up though. They have reason to be. So it is with God's strength alone (in all honesty!) that I am still working with them and showing them Christ through my actions. It's hard not having any other people who love the Lord on my side (it's hard going it alone), but I know that God is making me stronger and giving me wisdom in dealing with these children. I pray that I will be able to give them a glimpse of God and of hope so that they will be able to conquer their pasts and make a difference in the world (for the good :) He is the Vine and I am the Branches. I couldn't be doing what I am doing if He were not leading me every step of the way.