One of the hardest aspects of the World Race can be finding quiet time to get away for a bit. By month 5 we’re pretty accustomed to being observed, followed, and played with day in and day out, especially if we’re working with children. I’ll be honest, it feels a little like we’re an attraction at the zoo sometimes! This past weekend I was given a reminder of why it’s so vital to keep my perspective and not disengage.
Friday afternoon we packed our bags and tents on top of the ministry car and headed towards the Myanmar/Thailand border with the YWAM Ratchaburi staff. For the next two days we would be camping in the Karen village ministering to the Burmese refugees who have made their homes on the Thailand side of the border. YWAM administers a wonderful child sponsorship program called Rice Seeds, which enables underprivileged children from the village to continue in school, a luxury that is beyond the means of many of their families. The main purpose of this trip was to sign up more children for the sponsorship program, as well as to speak to their families about allowing their children to remain in school.
The main purpose of the trip for my team and me was to be jungle gyms, big brothers and sisters, hairstyle models, playthings, comforters, pack mules, hand-holders, mentors, friends, and general entertainers to the children in the community. From the moment we arrived and started setting up camp, we had a pretty much constant escort of around 20 children. Several of the boys camped with us, and the rest greeted us outside our tents first thing in the morning and hugged us goodnight last thing before bed. We had so much fun with these kids. There was no agenda. We just loved on them, let them climb all over us, play with our hair, and teach us their favorite games. I spent most of the weekend with a little girl attached to each hand, usually dragging me somewhere while chattering enthusiastically in Thai. Most of them called me Kay-love instead of Kaila and giggled happily when I tried greeting them in Thai instead of English.
We soon learned that when you’re accompanied every minute by a crowd of energetic children, it can be hard to accomplish things like our daily team time sessions. So our second night in the village, we attempted to seclude ourselves in the church to have about an hour of meeting time as a team without being distracted by the kids. Of course, it didn’t work. We were constantly shooing children out, only to have them be replaced by more. It’s amazing how kids seem to multiply- two would leave the church, and 4 would return. In the midst of this, my teammate Alexis reminded us that we had a wonderful opportunity to include the children into our atmosphere of worship, rather than trying to make it happen without them.
“Let the children come to me: do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” – Mark 10:14
I was immediately convicted. These kids loved us, and wanted to be a part of whatever we were doing. It wasn’t wrong that we needed a few minutes to accomplish team business, but I didn’t want to turn them away from witnessing our time with God. Shortly after that Alexis put on some music so that we could worship as a team. As we stretched out on the stage of the church or found quiet corners to sit in, the children began creeping back in. Several of the boys came and sat with our men, and when I motioned to one little girl who had been my stick-tight all day, her face lit up and she ran over to settle herself in my lap. She had expected me to shoo her away, not call her over, and at that simple gesture she was all joy and smiles. Once word spread that their new toys were available again, the rest began to trickle in and join us. Soon each of us had a child half-asleep in our laps or stretched out on the bamboo stage next to us. They were so quiet and respectful, and they watched everything. Before long they were raising their hands in worship and trying to sing along even though they didn’t know the language. They didn’t bicker or giggle or roughhouse – they joined us. I know you could say that they didn’t really understand what was happening, but I don’t care. In the best way they could, they were worshiping with us.
Really, it doesn’t matter what they did or didn’t understand about our night of worship. The important factor is that they were able to meet us in the presence of God and soak it up. I suppose we could have played with kids all day and called it enough, but I didn’t go out to that village for just enough. I didn’t commit to wandering country to country for a year for enough. By including those kids in our worship, two very important things happened: First, we showed them that they were so important to us that we wanted them to experience every part of our day with us. Second, they were exposed to a spiritual atmosphere and example that they may not see in their own homes.
Jesus said, “Let the children come.” If there’s one thing I’ve learned on the World Race, it’s that the children will ALWAYS come. It takes almost no effort to connect with kids in any language, culture, or situation. They are hungry; hungry for new friends and experiences, hungry for attention and companionship, hungry for confirmation that they’re worth our time.
My team and I had been anticipating a half hour or so of quiet communion with God. Sharing that with the little girl drowsing in my lap, with the little boy raising his hands in the air, with the kids silently observing from the dark corners of the church, was one of the most beautiful moments of the Race for me. And it was so humbling. I’m glad Alexis spoke up. I had loved playing with those kids and sharing my day with them, but still I’d missed the point.
Do not hinder them from approaching the Kingdom – it’s intended for them, and it’s more important than any game I can play or any other thing I could teach them.
Here are some other things they taught me:
- If a kid runs up and sticks food in your mouth, accept it. Just be prepared that it could be ANYTHING. Including squid flavored jerky.
- Little kids are the best guides. Need a bathroom? They’ll find you one. Want to see pretty flowers? They’ll pick some for your hair. Looking for a good fishing hole? They’re happy to escort you to one.
- Shared language is completely unnecessary sometimes. Play, love, and fun don’t require words.
- Let kids help you if they want to. It doesn’t matter if you have to completely re-pack your tent when they’re not looking, it’s worth it for them to know they helped you get it done.
- When a little girl starts playing with your hair, let her. When she’s done, chances are you’ll look like either a woodsy flower princess or an over-played-with Barbie, but she’ll feel like the most sophisticated stylist in the world.
