My first feeding that I was a part of was amazing. I watched little girls and boys line up to get some lugaw (the snack we brought them). I learned as many names as I could remember. I ran around the playground until I couldn’t breathe. I sang songs about Jesus and danced in front of a class. And in the midst of the craziness, one little girl affirmed my doubts about being here.
I’ll admit, I struggled when I first got in Tacloban and I let the enemy in my head. I let him stir up doubts and confusion about my place here in the Philippines, but God put this little girl right in front of me to grab my attention. Earlier that day, we spent 15 minutes in team time praying with a sacred word that would bring us back to God when we felt distant. I chose the word butterfly. Not very spiritual, I know, but it was there in my head and it wouldn’t move.
2 Hours Later…
As I was leaving the feeding, I had my head out the window of our van talking to some of the kids. A very shy little girl was standing right under my window with her hands covering her sweet smile. She had on all kinds of bracelets and jewelry, but I noticed her bright pink and yellow rings and I told her how beautiful they are. She then proceeded to run away out of shyness. A few seconds later she ran back up to the window and placed something in my hand. It was her bright pink butterfly ring. The language barrier is sometimes very hard to get past, but her friend told me that she wanted me to have it and that it no longer belonged to her. Looking at it on the ride home, I was just amazed at how God was speaking to me (again). That little girl had no clue how she changed my day but I knew I couldn’t wait to see her again.
Fast forward to the next week and I go back to the same school. I’ve got on my butterfly ring and I’m ready to see her. I’m greeted with so many hugs and so much excitement. I feel someone grab my hand and look down to see that it’s the same little girl that gave me the ring. She’s so excited that I’m wearing my ring and she’s tugging me around to show all of her friends.
It may seem small, but that simple gift means so much to me. Every Friday morning when I go back to that same school, all I can see is how God is moving in this community. I see the sweetest little kids just waiting for us to get out of the van. I remember the confirmation that I’m doing what God wants me to do. It may get hard every so often, but I have a little pink ring to lean back on. It’s there so that I can tell the enemy that he has no power here. It’s there to affirm me when I’m doubting. It’s there to show me Jesus in the midst of chaos. It’s right at my fingertips, reminding me of the love that I was given. Love that never fails. Love that is unending. Love that I can’t help but to share, all because one little girl reminded me. So from now on, I’m going into ministry without doubts and without fear that I won’t measure up because I know that I have the easiest job in the world. I get to tell people about Jesus and show them the love that I have and the love that He has in store.
