This is the street where I met Mario. Mario was sitting by his family’s house about a block in from where this picture was taken. Let me tell you how the Lord introduced us.
Our team had just finished a wonderful tour of two museums that our host had taken us to for our adventure day. The red tables in the picture were placed out there by the small restaurant that we came to for dinner which was a Dominican meal that consisted of french fries, ground meat, cheese, mayonnaise, and ketchup. We all arrived hungry and ready for some new local cuisine. When we arrived there was a group of children, about 5 in total, playing with a beach ball near the tables. Without missing a beat, the game was on! A group of us broke away to play in the street with these kids. Just tossing the ball around with them and occasionally playing keep away made their faces light up.
Within minutes the group of 5 had turned into 25! Children were coming from every direction to play! We broke off into several groups, some kept playing ball, some playing rock, paper, scissors with the children and practicing counting to ten in both languages, one of the kids even brought out a motorcycle and showed everyone in the street how he could ride a wheely for a block with ease. Everywhere you looked there were children smiling and gleeful. While half of us ate dinner in a rush so that we could get back to the party, the other half were showing the love of Jesus to kids that could not speak the same language, but could easily understand love.
This is where I met Mario. Watchful adult eyes are to be expected in a big city whenever children are playing in the streets. Mario was one of those watchful eyes making sure that his little girl was safe playing with these visitors. But he was more than just watching, he was laughing with us all.
After my squadmate and I led the children in a fantastic acapella rendition of the chicken dance, we were called over by Mario. Mario was smiling and couldn’t speak a word of english, but was able to ask us if we were from America. “Yes” we replied. He hesitated for a moment and his smile faded a bit as he contemplated whether to ask his next question. “Misionero?” I don’t know much spanish at all, but I was able to apply every lesson I had learned from reading Sherlock Holmes books and watching the movies to deduce what he meant. “Yes, we are missionaries,” we replied. Back came the smile, bigger than ever before.
Mario and I did not speak the same language, but through this encounter I was able to meet a man that had a heart for Jesus and was brought extreme joy just at the knowledge that missionaries had come to his street and played with his kids. Then Mario introduced me to his brother who turned out to be the pastor of the local church. We talked a bit more and found out that quite a few of the children playing with us are, in fact, members of the children’s choir for that church. What a treat it was to hear them singing through huge smiles a spanish song that they sing in church to bring glory to God.
We had no intention of playing with kids when our busses stopped on that street. Most of our minds were on the meal ahead of us. We had no sign inviting children to come play with us. None of us made mention to Mario that we were missionaries. The children were drawn to Jesus in us. Mario recognized Jesus in us. We did nothing special, but through us, Jesus blessed a community with games, laughter, and the voices of children singing praise to God.
Jesus could have easily brought joy to that community without us. He could have brought joy to us without them. But He invited us together to join in a community that honors Him. It is in His honor that we all find joy together.
