This past Wednesday, the team and I went out into Zone 4 of Guatemala City to have two different “kids clubs.” One for kids of the bus terminal in the morning, and another for kids of the city dump in the afternoon. Our host, David, has not set up a kids club recently in the area so we simply divided and conquered. We went off in two different groups and invited the kids of two different areas in the morning to partake in the activities. As we passed new kids walking back to the location our club would take place, we would simply shout “vamos!” and they would join!
I was sitting cross-legged on the ground waiting for the other team to show up when all of a sudden they appeared with multiple children ready for action. The most adorable little man named Daniel ran straight towards me, jumped in my arms, and gave me the absolute greatest hug I have ever received from a child. Daniel had the largest smile on his face and was so excited to see me…he didn’t even know me! That small act of love brought so much joy to my heart and I couldn’t help but give him the greatest of hugs in return. The team put on the story of Noah’s Ark as the kids acted out the animals two-by-two, we colored pictures of Tinkerbell and Monsters Inc., and we danced and sang interactive songs. It was such a fun morning, and for our first time we had 21 kids partake!
Daniel and I spent a majority of the morning arm in arm laughing and playing and enjoying the moment and his love reiterated a devotion I had this morning with the team on living a life of faith, especially childlike faith, as I love to call it. As the team and I were discussing acts of faith this morning, David Von Cannon, our host, shared “faith without practice is simply hope.” These words resonated with me, and as a team we realized that faith is a talent we must practice.
Joining the World Race and having left behind our worldly possessions and everything we knew took a huge leap of faith. This year I hope to make even greater strides of living a life of faith. Baby steps or gigantic leaps, it’s better to fail in faith than to make the right decision in doubt. I want to be like little Daniel this year, with childlike faith. I am going to trust solely in the Lord, leaning on him not only during the hard times, but also thanking Him when His blessings pour out.
“Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure hearts.”
To be encouraged by more acts of faith in The Bible, read Hebrews Ch. 11
