On our last day of ministry in Mozambique (November 27, 2013) we did what we always do on Wednesdays and went to the hospital to pray for people.
This is John. He is four years old and because of a fever and sickness, has a rash on his face that has slightly disfigured him in a way that makes his face look burned. John was in the last room I went in to with Christa, Aimee, Armindo, and Pastor – and it was the perfect ending.
As soon as we walked into the room and I saw his face, my heart was immediately in love with him. He was the cutest little boy I had seen with his wide curious eyes constantly watching us as we moved about. He had been playing by the window when we came in and his mother called him next to her so we could talk to her and pray for them.
She explained why they were in the hospital and then it was time to pray. Instinctively I wanted to be closer to John while we prayed so I moved to the bed opposite where he was standing, sat down, and held out my hands. His wide curious eyes were taking in the scene of five adults he didn’t know all around him, so he didn’t notice my hands, but his mom did and she put his hands in mine.
Immediately I had the biggest grin on my face as I stared right into his eyes and just marveled at this beautiful child of God. I couldn’t take my eyes off him and the grin never left my face. I was honestly staring at the most beautiful child I had ever seen, and I wanted him and everyone else to know it too.
While we prayed, Christa took a picture but she didn’t notice that she had cut off the lower half of John’s face, the part that was disfigured.
I was disappointed and wanted to turn back so I could get another picture with him but since we were about to leave the hospital to go home, I kept walking. As we stood briefly outside the hospital ward door, I turned around to find that John had followed us out. He was standing there in the doorway, still just marveling at us with his wide curious eyes.
My heart leapt with joy and I crouched downto take a picture with him. He was confused and didn’t understand, but his curiosity held him there. It wasn’t until his mom told him to come back inside to his room did he budge from being around us.
I don’t know if John is growing up in a Christian household, but his curiosity was clear, and all it takes is one spark and childlike faith. I don’t know why my heart leapt at meeting John either, but his wide curious eyes stole my heart and I will definitely never forget this chance encounter with one of the most beautiful children of God I have ever seen.
