Laughter is the Best Medicine

"...Blessed are you who weep now: for you shall laugh."
-Luke 6:21

I like this because Luke doesn't promise you'll prosper or be saved. Luke simply promises that if you weep, sooner or later, you'll laugh.



Ghana has been one heck of a roller coaster ride for me. With so many ups and downs that I know, when I get off this ride, it will take me a little while to figure out what actually happened here. I've been filled with happiness, I've been overcome with grief, I've choked on anger and I've nearly died of boredom. I've struggled with my faith and I have gotten so angry, sad, frustrated, and annoyed at God through this journey. I actually wondered if I could ever reconcile with Him.

But let me start from the beginning.
For the past two months I have been volunteering at Anfaani Children's Home. A home filled with eight children who's mothers have died. They are all under the age of two and they are all completely brilliant.
Working (playing) with these children has been a huge joy. And though I don't always express it, I am truly touched by how much love these children show me.

And how much they teach me.

One lesson that the children constantly teach me more about is forgiveness. These kids have taught me how beautiful forgiveness can be. Sure, in Sunday school you are taught how important forgiveness is- but not how breath takingly beautiful the act of forgiveness can be. I wont give any specific instances, though I have many to choose from. THey are simply too difficult to describe. I cannot do them justice.

Something I truly love about these children, or any child really, is that the cry that pierces a heart is always replaced by laughter or a smile.

I believe that Luke was talking about the spirit of of a child in that verse. Children are blessed with the power to laugh, to forgive, to love, even after the most heart-wrenching experience they have ever met.
I am amazed at the level of children's forgiveness.
The measure of their love.
The power of their laughter.
I believe that laughter is the truest way of showing forgiveness and love.
That is why I choose to surround myself with the truly young at heart. They teach me, show me, how I can learn to forgive those who have wounded me. How to love those who I hate. That laughter will come and to remember that, even as I weep.

With children, you know you are truly forgiven when you can make them laugh again. That they really do love you and trust you. And that is something I need to do more of. I need to forgive. I need to let God make me laugh.



One Week. In one week today I will be leaving my eight little munchkins at Anfaani. These "socially disadvantaged children" have become my brothers and sisters, my babies, my saving grace and my home. They are so beautiful and I am going to miss them like crazy.

In three weeks today I will be boarding a plane heading to Canada. I will have two weeks back in Kasseh-Ada with all of our friends. I will also have a weeks time with my village family.

It's going to be weird. I'm excited, I'm anxious, I'm confused, I'm- everything.

I probably wont have a chance to update before heading back to Canada. So... I'll update you then!

Peace, love and pie

Aryn