Today was our big fellowship with all the kids from the
surrounding areas. I have to
admit, I was a little intimidated by today because the bulk of our leadership
was out and I was left in charge.
Typically I wouldn’t mind that, but the only problem is I still don’t
speak the language and since all these kids are from more rural areas, they don’t
all understand English. So I’m
left in charge of a group that won’t really understand me. Thank God for the IVCF group because
they stepped up huge and just took over the program. I was able to just stand back and watch in case anything
went wrong and fulfill my weekly responsibilities. God used those students to run the program as if nothing was
any different. I’m so thankful for
them.
Now for today’s story.
I’m beginning to learn that when I’m serving God (especially when kids
are involved) there are no distractions, just pauses and teaching moments. Each week, we have a family of kids
(about 8 or so) that join us a little early on Saturday and spend the morning
with our kids. Prince is one of
them and he’s one of the oldest at the age of 12, even though his body is so
small and skinny that he doesn’t look a day over 8. These kids that join us live in rough conditions and I’ve
never really had the chance to reach out to them. Today was that day.
At the beginning of the program, I was a little nervous
about how things would run. I didn’t
really know how to direct this or what to do really, so I was a little worked
up. Prince came over and grabbed
both of my arms and wrapped them around him. I’ve never really talked to this kid but a lot of kids come
and wrap up with me each week, so the only difference with him was that I was “busy”. I don’t know what it was, but this kid
seemed to have a death grip on me, and I couldn’t get away. I decided to talk to him, thinking I
may encourage him to go join his group.
I tried to use a little broken Viscayan to get his name and age, but he
told me I could speak in English.
This is one of our poorest families, yet this boy can speak perfect
English!
As we talked, I found out he was in grade 5 (higher than any
of our kids in the home) and he took his studies very seriously. Since he’s one of the oldest, he wants
to be able to take a path that would provide for his family. I just sat down, totally convicted of
my thoughts, and in a little self-pity.
He just smiled that huge smile of his and wrapped himself up in my
lap. I held onto him, now just as
tight as he was holding onto me.
There are no “distractions” in God’s plan, just pauses and teaching
moments. I’m thankful for Brins
because he slowed my whole day down and reminded me why we do what we do. It’s not for the program, it’s for the
kids. It’s for the Gospel and in
worship of God. Today, I’m
thankful for distractions…
I’m going to spend some time with the rest of his family
this week while he’s at school and I’ll be excited to tell you a little about
them as well.
