Yesterday, my team and I arrived in Cajamarca, Peru and in the afternoon we joined a children’s ministry site in a poorer part of the city. Upon arriving, all the kids outside began waving like crazy to us and as we got out of the car they all greeted us so warmly and affectionately with sweet kisses on the cheek. As I was told to go get my things out of the van, because it was leaving and returning later for us, a little boy named Elvis jumped on and grabbed my bag. I couldn’t help but laugh and thank him, slightly uncomfortable because of a fear of him stealing it, but as I tried to grab it from him he said, ” me llevo me llevo” which is like I’ve got it or I’ll carry it. So I followed him closely behind into the church and as he set it down I was immediately taken away from any thoughts of worry or fear and touched to my core. This gentle kindness only continued as he gave up his seat for me, and then again for another little girl that arrived later. And later as the coordinators passed out suckers to all the kids he gave me his and later with another treat he got up to offer it to me saying “no me gusta”to which Gabby had to help me out by talking him into keeping it XD During the service we did a lot of interactive praise with a lot of dance moves and there was one dance where everyone gathered in a circle to spin together. Not too much later he came out of the circle to pull me in next to him, stealing my heart all over again. But all these acts don’t stop there, as we were leaving to play games outside he offered to take my bag again, walking alongside me the whole way, then before setting it down ON A LOG he brushed the log off and asked me if that was an okay place to set it. I cannot express how moved I was by Elvis with every single one of these interactions and after relfecting on it all multiple times, the Father revealed to me that that was Him and that kind of treatment is exactly what He has for me with each new day. He revealed to me that He’s always treated me this sweetly and beautifully, and it just took me giving Him the glory to truly find Him in it all. Associating Him within the blessings and acknowledging Him as the One giving in the moment has openned a whole new world of love and appreciation between the Father and I. I keep thinking back to the endless generosity of Elvis and Loving that that is the God I love and serve, the One that loved and served me first.
