Being a Light to Others by Katie

During my first CAC (Indoor Sunday School) meeting, there was a little girl, named Guillie (pronounced like Julie) who immediately caught my eye. She was a girl who had a lot of energy and would do some crazy things. She was sometimes hard to deal with. For a couple months though I would let the other interns deal with her, but she would come up and give me a hug every week. There was one meeting in October she came up for prayer and came to me as I was the one who was free. She came up crying saying she missed her dad.

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She started coming up every week, waiting for me to pray for her. She would act happy and bounce around everywhere during the lessons, but when it came to prayer time, something would change in her. When she came up she was either crying or had a sad look on her face.
 
When she came back in February she was doing the same thing, but each week I could see more and more hurt in her face. Then there was one day we were praying for the kids, and at this point she would only come to me for prayer, even if there were other interns who weren’t praying for anyone. I asked her what she needed prayer for and she said, “For my dad to love me”. This was like an arrow to my heart.
               
I prayed for her and gave her a hug. Then she proceeded to sit on my lap in my arms. I could just feel her hurt. I sat like this for a few minutes as she was crying. I took her to get her a tissue to wipe off her face. Then I told her when she is feeling unloved, especially by her dad, and lonely to pray to God. He will show you His love and will help you. I continued to talk to her and pray to her and the following meetings and when I would visit her at home during weekly visitations. She told me a couple of weeks later she was praying for her dad. That made me so happy.
               
A couple weeks later, I was sitting with her during the games. She started acting crazy and trying to bite one of the other helpers. I then took her outside to calm her down. When I got out there I asked her what is going on, why are you acting like this. She replied to me something like this: this happens when my anger comes out. I was not expecting this answer. I had to step back for a minute and ask for God’s help. There is so much going on in this little girl’s life. I prayed for her and asked if she was ready to go back inside, and she started to behave very well.
               
I realized in this moment how much hurt she is holding on to, as well as how much she tries to hide it. In the moments where she acts out, it’s her hurt that bursting out of her. I hope I can continue to work with her and show her God’s love in her life. This little girl has helped me realize to look past the way the kids act, and see the hurt they are all feeling. I need to continue to share the gospel and God’s love with them.
               
Matthew 5:16 says this: “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” I am excited for the opportunities I may have to continue to minister to her, and to continue to see what God will do through me and in her life.