I don’t know his name; I just know that he goes to the church everyday to get a hot meal.
I have not written much about Costa Rica and I think it’s because I really had no idea what to say about it, because I was wrecked by a small encounter. I have told this story to several of my squad mates and a couple people back home but who would have known such a little boy whom I was with for only an hour or two would have such a massive impact on my heart and this trip.
The story goes;
Our ministry for Costa Rica was Unsung Hero; seeking people and ministries that have gone under the radar, who are in need of help so our team partners with them for a few days to see if they would be a potential ministry contact for Adventures in Missions. By divine appointment we ended up with Strong Missions and on our last morning there we were able to go to a feeding that they support. This was the first feeding I had been to on the race, so I wasn’t really sure what to expect. We had the honor to go help with a feeding in La Carpio; one of the slums here in Costa Rica, with the help of Strong Ministry and a local church feedings happen 5 days a week. Children that live in the slums come to the church at noon everyday, patiently sit, pray a prayer of thanksgiving for what Jesus has given them, and eat. I got to help one of the ladies dish out the food and fill every little cup with some juice. The ladies tell me from the beginning that the kids cannot have seconds on juice(which makes me sad but I understand why) because there were almost 30 kids and still more to come.
Next thing I hear, “yo quiero mas jugo.” I look over the table and I see him, this little boy who can barely see over the table. Instantly my mind went to that quote by Heidi Baker; “the poor don’t know they’re poor until someone tells them.” He had the biggest dark eyes, that twinkled with innocence. I told him that I couldn’t give him anymore juice and he asked and asked and I was breaking on the inside. The lady next to me spoke up and told him no; he walked away and it hit me. He knows that soon there won’t be anymore juice but does he know why? Does he know that he lives in one the worst slums in Costa Rica? I couldn’t keep these questions out of my mind, and had to fight to keep the tears back(first time I cried on the race). As we colored and danced I saw the joy in His face, his sweet little laugh lit up my face. I didn’t get to talk with him much but I got to just be with him. His mom came and got him to go home and he did not want to leave, so she picked him up to take him. As they walked out of the church he turned around and smiled, kind of mischievous but those dark bright eyes still twinkling with innocence.
I have seen his little face everywhere.
This is the second country that we have been to since my encounter with him, and I swear I gave food to him just last week in Guatemala.
Every time I see his face and as my heart begins to break I am reminded of the numerous promises from the Father to this little boy, and all those in the same position;
“The poor will eat and be satisfied; those who seek the LORD will praise him– may your hearts live forever!”
Psalm 22:26
‘Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’
John 6:35
I know that the Father has him, and I know that everyday that he gets a hot meal and some juice. I am thankful for my small encounter with him and that the Lord uses his face as a sweet reminder for why He has brought me to this place. His smile, eyes, and little nose reminds me that there is Hope, that he satisfies every hunger pain whether it be physically or spiritually. That He is the greatest Father and will never leave these kids, that they are in His hands.
“He’s got the whole world in His hands!!”
