I have been wrecked.
Wrecked for everything that I ever thought
or could have thought about life,
the world
and about people.
Pre-World Race I never would have imagined
seeing the things I have seen now.
This month our ministry is working with
children that are completely
blessed with the poverty lifestyle.
They are “Slum Children”
or “Children at Risk”.
But I like to call them blessed.
These children are happy.
They are filled with joy that is unexplainable.
Every single day we pull up to the slums,
and these children come running,
sprinting,
to hug us.
These children barely have anything to call home,
and they don’t think twice about it.
They think Angry Birds is the coolest thing ever,
but do you think any of them have ever seen what
the game looks like in person? No.
These children have changed my life.
In one week I have been completely wrecked
by them.
Yes it is tiring and yes it is month 10,
but these children are worth all my effort.
The electricity goes out at least once everyday,
and when it goes out that means no fans.
No fans means that instead of hot,
it becomes unbearably hot.
But today while we were at the building where
we meet the kids
the power went out.
The fans stopped,
the music turned off
and instead of complaining about it
the children didn’t even notice it.
It’s like it never even phased them,
because in their homes they don’t
have the luxury of a fan.
As I sat there sweating out of ever part of my body,
I realized that these kids live in the most simplistic world.
A world where you make your own fun,
you invent your own games,
you drink out of the dirty water from the pot outside.
You shower in the rain if even at all,
you run around shirtless and/or pants-less,
and you never ever think twice about it.
I know the difference, because I know
what clean living is,
but these children have no idea.
This is their life
and in the midst of it
they are blessed with the joy of the Lord.
The kind that even in the middle of
sweat,
dirt,
taking care of your siblings,
and poverty
you still carry a smile that is so bright
and you still manage to laugh and play.
That’s what life is about.
Remaining in the spirit of joy
even if your circumstance isn’t the best.
Remembering to laugh,
to smile
and just simply enjoy the things in front of you.
These children have changed me.
The Jesus in them that they may not even know
they carry
has changed me.
