“’Come, go down to the potter’s house, and there I will let you hear my words.’ So I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was working at his wheel. The vessel he was making of clay was spoiled in the potter’s hand, and he reworked it into another vessel, as seemed good to him. Then the word of the Lord came to me: Can I not do with you, O house of Israel, just as the potter has done? Says the Lord. Just like the clay in the potter’s hands, so are you in my hands.” –Jeremiah 18:1-6

Take a moment and picture this with me: We are the clay, God is the potter and all the events and people in our lives are shaping us into “the masterpiece.”

The summer after my freshman year in college, I spent a month serving in Kenya with Project Go. I spent my month teaching English at the Baptist Children's Center.

When I entered the classroom on the first day, I instantly had 32 sweet children running to greet me. I had never met any of these children in my life but to me it was love at first sight.

Even though two years have passed, it seems like just yesterday I said goodbye to the sweet children of Kenya. I still picture their sweet smiles, the joy brought through a giggle and the way God’s love shined through each and every one of them. That experience molded me.

We get so wrapped up in the busyness of life we sometimes forget the little things. I recently went to the Dominican Republic with Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® to deliver shoes to children who had nothing.

Serving on the trip reminded me to appreciate the little things, such as shoes. Shoes are something we take for granted but to these children, shoes symbolize hope. Hope for a better future. The shoes mold their future.

The time spent with these sweet children was a molding experience. I see each person and each experience folded into the clay of my life on the potter’s wheel. I opened my heart to God and let his work be done through me. God used Kenya, the Dominican Republic and Buckner International to help mold me into whom I am today.

Elizabeth Rogg resides in Charleston, SC, where she is completing a masters of social work degree in hopes to serves orphans everywhere.