Nestled in the middle of the mountains of La Paz, Bolivia I found a beauty more magnificent than anything I had anticipated.
There’s a reason children need hugs and long to be noticed by those around them.
As humans we crave love because we were created for unity: unity as a body and in spirit with our father in heaven.
This month my team and I have had the biggest blessing of doing life with 20 amazing boys that have been coined “The Lost Boys” by several of my teammates.
Majority of you have probably heard this term from the infamous movie Peter Pan or one of the many renditions that have been adapted over the years. The lost boys were those that live in Neverland and are seen as very misbehaved, deprived children who are basically made to look and seem like animals. But one of the most significant things about these boys wasn’t their carefree wild lifestyle, but something they all had in common, something they tried very hard to hide, the need for someone that truly loves them. A “mother” of some sort.
These boys are similar in this way. They long for love but have been so hurt, neglected, and abandoned that the term “mother” or “father” has been completely destroyed. Because of this many have turned to other coping mechanisms in order to deal with the pain. They have been exposed to abuse, drugs, and alcohol and what is worse, these things have become normal to them.
When Jesus climbed up the hillside and preached the sermon on the mount to the disciples, sat with them, and strengthened them through the discussion of the 8 blessings, The Beatitudes. When I read this piece of scripture I picture a vast expanse before them, the mountains so high up they reach the clouds, but all of their attention is set on Jesus who is literally sitting on the ground with them.
Yearning to explain the kingdom and the deep inheritance that the Father has entrusted to those that not only love him, but are poor in spirit, those who mourn, are meek, who hunger and thirst, are pure in heart, peacemakers, and those who are persecuted [Matthew 5:1-12]. He sat and did life with them constantly and stopped at nothing to speak life into them so that they may continue to see their worth and belonging to their Father in heaven.
Much like this vision, the boys home was encircled by mountains and elevated views of the big city. Yet in the midst of all of this, our eyes were only fixed on our sweet and precious boys. Every morning I prayed to see them the way that Jesus sees them. For him to give me His eyes and heart for them. As I look back on my time with them, I realize just how much he brought that prayer to life.
There were many moments where I wanted to cry because I felt their pain and wanted to so desperately take them away from it all and be their mother. To sit on the couch with them and pet their heads as they fall asleep against my side. I felt what it was like to look at them and know that the way I looked at them was the way God has always seen me. The way he has always seen you.
These boys are not lost in the eyes of the Father. Yes, they have been surrounded by hurt, pain, and so much loss, but they have an inheritance sitting right in front of them. Because in his eyes they are princes. Worthy, valued, and oh so loved.
Boys, it saddened us so much to leave you, but there is someone that will never leave your side. A man that is your father, mother, and best friend: Jesus. Through knowing him, you will also always have us because we are all family in Christ.
You are worth it.
