As the year begins to come to a close, we have begun to look back and laugh at different times and things in the past year. We were talking the other day about our lowest points. I have to say that that last weeks of Swaziland were the lowest for me. At that point, I was tired of kids! I was tired of being a jungle gym, tired of singing silly songs, tired of playing the same games, you get the picture. I even stayed back a few days from ministr. That’s not like me. I was burned out of kids. I realized later that it wasn’t really the kids but just they were just the icing on the cake. Anyways, that experience caused me to want to do anything but kids ministry. I asked if we could do different ministries in Asia. So, in Thailand, we worked with the prostitutes and in Cambodia we are working with college students. Due to our main ministry being at night we have begun looking and participating in other ministries and they turned out to be kids ministries. I was a little hesitant at first, but it has been amazing! As I was chasing and playing with some dirty, lice-infested street children, and actually really enjoying it, I realized “YEAH, I LIKE KIDS AGAIN!”
After leaving the Love House orphanage this morning, Annie and I took a moto to the New Life Fellowship Church, where Teams 61 and Revolution are working. We were planning to help with “Joy Club.” Every Thursday, the teens of the church help to lead 3 hours of activities, songs, skits, etc for street children. I’m told that when most of the children are there, there is almost 300. Some of the World Racers were helping to run this particular Joy Club. We began by playing the game where you tie a balloon to your ankle and then everyone has to try to pop everyone else’s balloon. Let’s just say it was pretty chaotic! I’m surprised there weren’t any injuries.
Balloon game
I was soon asked to help regulate in the little kids area. This is small tarp that sections off an area where little children can play with legos. I sat down and began playing with the children. It wasn’t soon before I realized the little girl next to me what sitting all alone and looked tired. She was dressed in the same skirt and vest she had on last week. She wore a purple necklace around her neck. Her hair was curly and somewhat matted. We’re pretty sure she has lice as well, but she was precious! I reached out my arms asking if I could hold her. She quickly stood up, sat down in my lap, made her self comfortable, and within minutes she was zonked out. Not one of those “I’ll-just-rest-my-eyes-naps,” but I could move her any which way and she was still sound asleep! I held her for a long time before I was needed elsewhere and passed her off to Annie.
I was just happy to be there. I just observed the children and the fun they were having. I watched some boys asleep in the midst of the yelling, singing, and chaos because this was a safe place for them to sleep. I watched as little kids sprinted by and I could reach down and pick them up. I watched as I turned into a jungle gym and loved it! I am so thankful that my heart for children has been renewed. It just seemed easier. I felt like in Swazi, I had to work to put on a happy face, to play with them, and to get their attention, but when the joy in my life is real, it’s amazing how the children would come to me. It was neat to see the joy and love in my heart radiate on their faces!
