About that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to him and put the child among them. Then he said, “I tell you the truth, unless you turn from your sins and become like little children, you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven. So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in he Kingdom of Heaven. And anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf is welcoming me.” – Matthew 18:1-5
In modern day society, so often the young are so easily disregarded and considered inexperienced, foolish, and having little to offer. But Jesus flips that on its head and tells us that the children are most important to Him. In this month, I have learned what it means to look up to a child as an example and an inspiration.
My ministry this month in Bolivia is helping at an orphanage called “Casa De Esperanza” (house of hope). This is a beautiful ministry that was founded by a church in Holland. The grounds of the orphanage are set on top of a mountain, about a 15 minute bus ride up from the town of Caranavi. There are individual houses scattered throughout the grounds, working like family units with 2 “Tias” or “Tios” (aunts or uncles) acting as a caretaker over 8 to 12 children, including their own. Everyday when I arrive, I am taken aback by the beautiful panoramic views of mountain ranges set against a bright blue sky spotted with puffy white clouds. Sometimes, the range of view isn’t far at all as we are literally inside a cloud.
My mornings are usually spent in the preschool classroom teaching 2 to 4 year olds alongside one of my teammates. We eat lunch with all the kids in the orphanage under a sort of covered shelter picnic type area that you would see at a park back home. We have a bit of a break after lunch to read or nap, and then we head to one of the houses in the afternoon to help with homework or chores.
The past couple weeks with these precious children has taught me so much about childlike faith. These children tend to pour out love so readily and boldly with an untainted heart. They long for companionship and pursue it in a full out sprint. I admire their tenacity and look at how I can apply these same principles to my own walk. I so long to pour out love to those around me without hesitation. I want to pursue God and others with a wild abandonment and genuine concern for who they are.
Many of these children aren’t even professing Christians (another subject for another day), but they exhibit faith in a manner that I look up to. It has been such a joy filled month loving on these kiddos, but they have unexpectedly ministered to me while I’m ministering to them. Learning this lesson of childlike faith has been just one of the many highlights of the beautiful country of Bolivia.
