Kimberli decorating some cookies.
One Week
It’s been one week since Kimberli came into our home and became part of our family, and we are in love. As you can imagine, the first week was a bit scary for her, for all of us really. But she is beginning to open up to us more, and the shyness around us is going away. We know this because we stayed up until 10:30 last night just talking, and she did most of the talking! She is a beautiful young girl who loves the Lord. She has a sweet smile and a generous heart.
A Lesson Learned
Leave it to God to throw a paranoia you have right in front of you to teach you a lesson to lean on Him. If there was a ever a lesson learned in my life, this past week was it. Kimberli came to our home infested with lice. Probably something she has lived with her whole life. I instantly began to worry and fret about these little demon bugs. I literally had paranoia and I was consumed with “what ifs?” I just looked at it as a problem, and the thought of tackling this problem seemed to big for me to handle. And to be honest, I didn’t want to. Until Nubia showed me love.
Nubia
Nubia is a dear friend who sometimes works for the ministry, cleaning and cooking for teams, etc. She came over later in the afternoon and began helping me treat Kimberli’s hair for the lice and nits. I thought she was just going to show me how to do it, but for 2 1/2 hours Nubia stood by my side as we handpicked the lice out of Kimberli’s beautiful curly hair. I was so thankful to have Nubia and her giving, humble heart. But it’s the words she said that have left an imprint on my heart.
Poor Kimberli fell asleep while we were combing her hair! And look at that smile on Nubia's face.
True Love
Kimberli quietly sat in the chair while we combed out her lice, without complaining one time. I could tell her neck was getting sore, and I felt so bad for her. I told her I loved her. After I said those words to Kimberli, Nubia replied, “It’s for this reason that we do this Kimberli.” I was humbled by those words and it reminded me of Jesus. Jesus did not come to be served but to serve. Through serving, he loved us. This was my way of showing Kimberli I love her. She may not understand that type of love now, but I pray that in years to come, she will.
Christlike
I also told Nubia of a girl I knew from college. She worked at a girls shelter in the states and her job was to get the lice out of the girls hair. I told Nubia about this girl, and her only response was, “what love.” I hadn’t thought of it this way before. My first response was, “I would never want that job.” Again, I was humbled by her words and her Christlike love.
Lice Update
After much work, and many prayers, I am happy to announce that the lice and nits are dead. Hoorah for the massacre that was of those nasty little buggers! Nubia came over on Saturday and for 6 hours we combed through Kimberli’s hair and picked out all the eggs, with our fingernails! I think we got pretty much all of them. But I will be combing through each day for a while just to make sure. All in all, God taught me so much this past week about true love. God is good.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
God is good indeed! Trina, I am so proud of you! You are truly an inspiration. The Dykstras are still keeping all of you in our prayers as you unconditionally love on these beautiful girls.
I love reading your stories on here, I cry every time I read them. God is giving your little family so much love to share, so very proud of you!
Wow Trina, an awesome story and what love you and Nubia did show Kimberly. We get so caught up in our lives that we forget that God does expect us to serve one another and those He puts in our way. Thanks for the reminder that I am here for more than just myself, love you lots, will continue to pray for you and Chad, for the wisdom, grace and love you need in raising now two children.
AWESOME!! ( I can’t think of any other word to describe this post!)
I’m itching my head just thinking about it. I ended up chopping off my ponytail when I got lice! Wish you were there to show me some “nit-picking love”!!
Wow, Probably one of the first of many challenges that you will have with a teenage girl in the house. What an example of how much you love her-she will realize one day and I can only imagine what impact you are making in this young girls heart and life. Thank you for being open to God’s calling!
Wow Trina! What an amazing story of being Jesus’ hands! You are a beautiful inspiration to us all. We just spent a week in Haiti doing mission work and I worked with the special needs kids doing massage and stretching. I too struggled with the “ick” factor when I was massaging one little boy with a terrible skin condition (I had to wear gloves). I just kept thinking about how Jesus would have responded to him! Praying for you guys!
Trina, this brought tears to my eyes! To step up to the call when we feel inadequate or unable to is such a hard thing to do….God called you and you followed. Thank you for sharing your journey
Continuing to pray for your family!
Trina, thanks so much for the update on Kimberli! She is a precious girl. Praise God for the love He is showing her through you and your family. I miss those girls, and hope to send them a letter soon. Thanks again for all you do. Many blessings.
Great post! Love it! I don’t love the lice! I love the love that people have for the unlovely. I linked your post up today on the Gumbo blog. I hope you are encouraged to be strong and weak in Jesus. (It’s hard to be both but so needed)
I love this post and the way you serve others without expecting something in return, just like Jesus. He came because we need Him and His love for us is unconditional. I hope and pray that there will be more people like you are, ready to help and serve for those who mostly needs help. God Bless you and your family always.