I’ve always had a problem with comparing myself to others in multiple ways. Even when it comes to my spiritual walk and ministry, I’m always wondering how others are always doing so much better than me. At team time the other night, Stacie asked us all to bring a word we want to live by for the year. Instead I brought a word I do not want to live by – comparison.
We were all going out to the village in groups the other day. I was about to walk out the gate when my team said they wanted me to wait. I had no problem doing that, but instantly I was wondering what I would miss out on while I waited at the mission. But I heard The Lord say “Be content where you are and I will bless you.” So I put my things away and went to sit in the courtyard.
The boys who live at the compound were out riding bikes. These boys had been very standoffish to the “gringos”, which is understandable. Imagine 30 strangers coming to your house, staring at you and trying to hug you, while excitedly chattering in another language. Overwhelming. One boy in particular wouldn’t go near any of us. Whenever we would look at him and smile, he would run and hide and say “No no no!” It became a game to run from us and hide.
This boy would half pump his bike pedals all the way to one end of the sidewalk, crawl off the bike, turn it around, and pump back to the other end. I watched him a few minutes and then started to turn his bike for him, with him yelling “No no no” the whole time. And then, tragedy struck, and his tire caught another bike and over he went. As he began to cry, I picked him up and it was instant love. He crammed his head against my neck and held on tightly. From that moment on, it hasn’t been “No no no” but outstretched arms instead. And God blessed me where I was.
At team time that night, my teammates told me how blessed they were to see me with him all day. Other squad mates commented as well. And then this little boy started opening up to others, as well. He is such a joy, even when he calls me “Gringa” instead of “Deboylah” or when he goes back to his now joking no no nos. But he is especially a blessing in the moments when we play tag, or hide behind pillars, or wheel around in the wheelbarrow, or walking me hand in hand to the bus. He’s a blessing when he’s in my arms, when we are beating on a plank of wood with a rock, or sleeping in the arms of a teammate, or giggling uncontrollably. He’s teaching me to love like Jesus.
God blessed me where I was, and he blessed others through me. That’s all I can ask.
For more stories about the first few days, check out my teammates blogs!
