A Deeper Fire In My Own Heart

Katelynn Grim has just returned from serving on the South Africa HOPE worldwide Singles Corps and shares how the experience helped her connect to the compassionate heart of Jesus in a new way.

Throughout the New Testament, there is story after story of how Jesus took the time to see the “unnoticeables”. This trip repeatedly reminded me of how Jesus took people in their brokenness, like Mary and Martha after the death of their brother (John 11), or in their worst and most humiliating states, like the woman caught in adultery (John 8:1-11), or the woman at the well (John 4), and He gave his full self by being present. The safest place the woman caught in adultery felt, was not in running and hiding after being shamed, but was actually to stand next to Jesus (John 8: 9). His compassion drew people close to Him. He was the safest place to go. His interaction and response to seeing them, gave these people the courage to leave the presence of Jesus forever changed. This trip couldn’t have come at a more prominent time in my life to reinforce this truth. I believe this is also the heart of what HOPE worldwide reflects.

These women have come from some of the most broken places; being raped, abused, kicked out of school and unable to finish their high school education. The feeling of being invisible and unseen is all too familiar for each of them. After sharing these stories, they continued to share how they have changed. They shared their stories of how they were taught to love. I sat there, holding back tears, as I expressed to them the incredible impact they are making on their families. These women have the amazing courage to be cycle breakers. I love seeing how people can become empowered and compelled through love, to break chains that have been passed down through generations.

These women’s children and future families will forever be changed simply because they were taught how to love. “We love because He first loved us” 1 John 4:19. This reflects the heart of HOPE and the motivation behind programs like this parent support group. I have the privilege of working in an Early Childhood Program here in the States, and the biggest impact that will be an indicator of true growth for any child we work with, is if the parent is involved and willing to reinforce the strategies we teach.

Through this program, HOPE worldwide is generating lasting change from the inside out. When people are given the opportunity to share their story, to be seen, it empowers them and in turn causes them to gain a belief that they can change and be different. I believe through this program, HOPE is continuing to empower these mothers in the community to change. Upon graduating the program, many have become advocates and teachers to other women in their community. Some mothers have even started working with HOPE worldwide to lead these programs. The impact and transformation of this community has come down to giving each individual woman the opportunity to be really seen.

There are still many things I want to see happen in South Africa, and I have a firm belief I will be back again next year. However, to see the way HOPE worldwide is a shining light of the compassionate heart of Jesus, has ignited a deeper fire in my own heart. I am reminded of how Jesus has noticed me and I am inspired to look for ways I can take the time to really see and listen to the stories of those around me; because love is truly one of the most powerful things we can offer others.