Sweeping panoramic views of lush cloud forests and green valleys characterize the Honduran landscape. There are an abundance of sharp mountains covered in sweet smelling pine trees, something I didn’t know about Honduras a few weeks ago. This is the Valle de Angeles, or Valley of Angels, where we have been blessed to call home for a month. This place reminds me of Colorado in many ways: the pine trees, waterfalls, jagged peaks, and cozy downtown shops made complete with simple and warm people. This place will forever hold a special place in my heart for those reasons alone. The best part of Honduras however, has been getting to share most of my days playing, sharing, laughing, and praying with kids who live on the mountainside.
Our team has joined Hope at Hand, a ministry focused on discipling children, for the month of November. Our daily ministry is composed of making breakfast for 20-80 children each morning (depending on the number who showed up), giving a short but powerful bible study along with the food, and finally play a variety of games with the children. We are always greeted and sent off with individual hugs from all the kids, who range from five to thirteen years old. I leave each day feeling warm and joyful, wishing we had a bit more time to spend with the kids playing games. I’m reminded of the words of Jesus when asked by his disciples, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
Jesus doesn’t respond with “Whoever converts the most people to Christianity.” or “Whoever sins the least in this lifetime.” His response is much more potent than what we or the original disciples expected. He beckons a child to draw near and says, “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 18:3-4
How do we become like a child? I’m starting to understand what Jesus meant by his words. Children love fearlessly, constantly, and in abundance. I say this because my team and I have experienced it these past two weeks. From exchanging hugs, to smiles, to laughs, I’ve seen and felt what it means to become like a child.
To apply this into my life, I want to more freely love everyone around me. I want to be silly and goofy, go against the status quo. I imagine Jesus had a solid sense of humor, though scripture can tend to make him seem stoic. I imagine he loved everyone around him with a contagious joy which the world tried to control and surpress, but couldn’t. When was the last time you gave more than 2 hugs in a day? When was the last time you smiled for so long that your face hurt? I ask these things not to convict, but to inspire. This is my challenge to you the reader: Give a hug to somebody this week, even if it’s awkward. Share a smile or a laugh with a stranger. Be unafraid of talking to someone next to you in line at the grocery store. Let us love like children. It changes things.
