Today we experienced this surprise and touch of heart once more. As we walked into the church yard, the sponsored children came up to us to greet us with hugs, smiles and "Bienvenidos". We fell into a sea of their arms, suddenly having a hard time remembering the heat and the humidity, or any other problems here or back home.
Then they sang to us, about God's love and His glory. We soon began to sing with them, moving to the rhythm of their songs and their joy. The yard was small, and mostly covered in dirt. The children sat in tiny plastic chairs to pray and to hear the day's message. I noticed one little boy praying so earnestly that he stood out, his eyes closed and fists clapped together, murmuring after his teacher, heart wide open. Right after lesson time, we started to mingle and chat. Claire and Kristen got into playing a game with a few of the sponsored girls in white and gray uniforms. Emily chatted with a group of kids about their family and their drawings. Jack, Nate and Conner struck up conversations with the aids of hand gestures and soon the group started dancing Macarena together. Luke, Ann and others smiled and laughed with the children until it's time for everyone to help the children with lunch. The younger kids looked up to them like fans looking up to their favorite hollywood stars.
The stories we read about the sponsored children made it hard to believe the joy we felt in front of us. Later in the day, we went on a hike, marching up a steep incline into an ancient tropical forest. The heat and the exertion showered us in sweat, so we stopped from time to time to breathe, buy freshly cut grapefruit from a stand and take in the view. When we finally reached the peak, a strong breeze washed over us, reinvigorating even the most fatigued member of the group. Pastor Julio chanted in singsong like Spanish / English instructions, organizing us into a dozen smiling group photos after we soaked in the lush view of the city below.
On the way down, I asked about the sprawling homes perched at view points or nestled in secluded corners. Our translator Alfonso told us that this is a "very nice area", but below the mountain of lush green tropicals, many families lived by the bank of river blanco, in next to nothing homes, with next to nothing meals. "They have nothing, those families. The whole family of five people have to sleep on a single bed, with only one fan in this heat!" He exclaimed. I nodded, remembering meeting the children from the earlier part of the day again. They were from those homes.
On the way down, I asked about the sprawling homes perched at view points or nestled in secluded corners. Our translator Alfonso told us that this is a "very nice area", but below the mountain of lush green tropicals, many families lived by the bank of river blanco, in next to nothing homes, with next to nothing meals. "They have nothing, those families. The whole family of five people have to sleep on a single bed, with only one fan in this heat!" He exclaimed. I nodded, remembering meeting the children from the earlier part of the day again. They were from those homes.
"Yes, they have nothing. But they seem to be happy nonetheless." I said.
"That's true. The people from these rich homes don't smile as much as those people from homes with nothing!" Alfonso answered.
I agreed. There is no formula on smile counts though. Rich or poor, anyone can grow all too quickly into the burdens of life and out of the ability to celebrate blessings and accept joy with an open heart. In the same way, a busy schedule can all too quickly squeeze out the unprecedented spiritual lift we all felt when we first became "baby christians". So remembering to smile, counting God's blessings and remaining open the Spirit each day can feel like an uphill climb in tropical heat, but as any hiker or mature christian would day, it is always worth the effort.
-Tina
The verses I want to leave you with today are -
Matthew 18:3-4
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Luke 9:48
"Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all - he is the greatest."
A note from kyle.
We are having some minor technical problems, and i will not be able to load photos until later this week. But they look amazing! and I know that you will enjoy them.
-Tina
The verses I want to leave you with today are -
Matthew 18:3-4
"I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."
Luke 9:48
"Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all - he is the greatest."
A note from kyle.
We are having some minor technical problems, and i will not be able to load photos until later this week. But they look amazing! and I know that you will enjoy them.
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