This month we’ve been working at a care point, digging a trench, and playing with the kids.
The kids here do not have very many resources and so they have to make up their own games with what they have. They make small balls out of fabric and bags, they use empty glass bottles to fill with sand, and they use empty boxes as a treasure trove. They do an amazing job of entertaining themselves because that’s what they’ve had to learn, but they crave attention. They want to be held, they want to have you play soccer or duck duck goose with them. Here are some things I’ve learned on the Race:
-We all crave community. We were not meant to do life by ourselves but we’re meant to support, encourage and challenge each other.
-My time is not my own. I gave it (along with everything else) to Jesus so I get to learn how to listen to what he’s telling me to do.
-Healthy community is not natural. We have to learn how to see others the way Jesus does, learn how to challenge without condemnation, and celebrate victories with conviction.
How is any of this possible? Only through truly knowing what trust means and living a life of full dependence on the one who is truth, who is forgiving, who is kind, who is love.
I have seen how these kids take care of each other and look out for one another, but they’re still kids and they fight. They can be best friends or worst enemies, and isn’t that just like us?
We listened to a podcast this morning for homechurch, and the pastor talked about being a peacemaker. He was talking about the Beattitudes in Matthew 5:9 where Jesus says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Being a peacemaker is not passive and it’s not vindictive. It is not being the defense attorney or the judge, it is not making sure everything is fair and right. IT IS being humble, relational, hearing the other side, wanting what’s best for others, stepping into conflict, being a mediator. Again, the only way we can do this is through the Holy Spirit working inside us to first transform our heart, which then outpours to a life of peacemaking.
This was our last week at the care point and my prayer has been that these kids would be a community that supports each other in this way. That they would want what’s best for each other, they would create peace and not retribution. Please join with me in keeping these kids, care points, shepherds (leaders), and all the staff in your prayers.
Keep the faith,
Malia
