The last couple months of my life have consisted of me loving on the amazing kiddos at my care point. As this ministry comes to an end and I head into my last few weeks here in Swaziland, I would like to share what the Lord has taught me through his little ones.
One day before ministry, my squad leader read this scripture to us: “At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?’ He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said, ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.’” Matthew 18:1-5 Then, she asked us to create a list of the things we see in these children that show how we should walk in more of being like a child, and share them at the end of the day.
Swaziland has the highest HIV rate in all of Africa. Approximately 40% of the population is affected by this disease. According to my hosts, most people only live on $1 a day or less (which is 14 rand). Many of the children show up in the same outfit multiple days in a row, and many have holes that have been sown up multiple times. At the care point, we serve them a meal, but for some it’s the only food they get that day. But, with all of this, these children have the biggest smiles I’ve ever seen. I can tell that joy is chosen here. They don’t have much, but their laughter and happiness shows they have it all. They continue to rejoice in the hardship. This has humbled me and showed me I’m not entitled to anything. Through the little children, God has shown me to rejoice even though I feel as if I have nothing. To always be joyful because the Lord is on my side. To continue to praise him when it’s hard.
Each day, when we get off the bus, the kiddos always run past the gates of the care point to greet us with the biggest hug. They literally run to us, expectant and joyful. That is how we should approach the Lord. Literally running into his open arms, expectant that he will show up. But, it has also shown me that Jesus does the exact same thing to us. It is in his character to run to his children when they call on him.
They last thing the Lord has shown me is how children have eyes to see the magic in things. They look at simple things with such wonder and excitement. He has shown me that I should never stop looking for the magic in Jesus, and never losing my wonder in everything he’s done for me. To not be afraid to jump up and down like a fool for Jesus, or to shout his name. To never look at the mountains or a sunset again and look at it as “I see this everyday” but seeing his art as a masterpiece, and to never stop seeing the magic in his art.
