For the past two weeks we have been loving on children in a variety of ways. Our first week was spent in a village about 40 minutes from our home in Matola. We packed in the back of the truck and rode out each day to complete various tasks; from building, to pumping, to playing.
First we helped on the construction of a school building that YFC is creating for the community. We pulled weeds, hauled water, and arranged wiring.
Our down time was spent entertaining the children that gathered each day. We played soccer with them, tried to teach some songs, and danced to a variety of music on the ipod.
I’m proud to say I even pumped water for a few hours and realized that I’ve got a LOT to learn from village women. All of the girls on our team spent the day at the watering pump as an effort to show Christ’s love to the women through serving them. We pumped their water jugs full and then would wheelbarrow the jugs to their homes. Not as simple as it sounds…
Our second week we were blessed to spend a few days at an orphanage near our home. The children were amazing! Within 30 seconds of walking in I had Lola in my lap. She has been at the orphanage almost as long as she’s been alive and the love she has experienced there is evident in her confident and mischievous smile.
Paulo came along next and completely had me fooled. I asked the staff if he was always so sweet and loving, and they said “nope!”. Apparently Paulo is usually into mischief and is almost always the lead player behind any scheme in the home….and I loved every second he let me hold him in my arms.
After playing with the children a few hours we walked to the second location of the orphanage and were immediately greeted with the same joy and affection. Philipe climbed into my arms (and my heart) and remained there our entire visit. He was content just to be held, kissed, and hugged for as long as I was willing. My heart broke a little in the realization of how many children in this world want nothing more than the free gift of love and affection. They didn’t ask for toys, entertainment, or even the commitment to return…they eagerly accepted every ounce of the love and joy they were given and were content to just soak in that moment as long as it lasted.
It hit me that once again God is asking me to become increasingly ‘like the little children’. Instead of coming to God like a rich uncle, asking and searching for whatever my flesh is desiring in that moment, to come to him with arms wide open eager to rest in his arms. He is a loving Father and the measure of His love and joy have no bounds. The love he showers on us will not pass in a few hours, but last through eternity.
