Jars of Clay

"But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all surpassing power is from God and not from us. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal."

2 Corinthians 4:7,18

 Another version for verse 7 is this one:

"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God, and not from ourselves" (ASV)

or check this one out (I think my favorite one yet):

"We now have this light shining in our hearts, but we ourselves are like fragile clay jars containing this great treasure.This makes it clear that our great power is from God, not from ourselves." (NLT)

I am a fragile clay jar that contains the great treasure of Jesus Christ. This verse is the logo verse for Tesoros de Dios (God's Treasure), a ministry for children with disabilities in Nicaragua. 

These children with various disabilities come from homes with low incomes, and have had to deal with rejection from family members, society, schools, and even governmental organizations. Tesoros de Dios provides the opportunities for these children and families to know the treasure of Christ, to hope for the unseen in Jesus, and to realize that they themselves are treasures in God's eyes because Jesus came to die for them. . .because even if these children where the only ones on this earth, Jesus would still come and die and rise for them. 

I got to work with these beautiful children at Tesoros summer 2009

Michelle Adams is behind Dr. Van Tol (this was take last October for a special ed workshop). Michelle is the director of Tesoros. Her vision and passion for this ministry is God anointed! It's beautiful.

When I graduate and return to Nicaragua, I will have the privilege to join this ministry, and learn and see God's fingerprint in this place, children, and staff. Being in my placement at Jamieson has been given me a different perspective on special education, and the following seven weeks, it will continue to broaden my perspective on public education in a low-income community.The Lord is preparing me.

Today, public schools celebrated Pulaski day, which meant that we could all stay home and honor a Polish leader in Chicago. Yay! So, I went to Elim Christian Services, which is a ministry that reaches out the children and teenagers with disabilities here in Chicago. I sat in various classes, and jotted down many great ideas to bring to Nicaragua. 

Elim is always excited to equip people, schools, churches within the America and to various countries, one of those recently being Nicaragua, Tesoros de Dios.

God's Ways are for sure Higher and Better than I could ever fathom to think. God knew I was going to  serve at Tesoros de Dios. He knew Elim was going to begin supporting Tesoros. He knew that I would be student teaching in Chicago and make it more than just student teaching to graduate or for the experience, but for creating and strengthening relationships. 

I cannot wait to being teaching first grade. I cannot wait to finish student teaching. I cannot wait to go home. I cannot wait to begin serving at Tesoros. I am just a jar of clay trying to hold this precious light of Jesus. And He is letting me do that in every step of life. Isn't God just so good?