On Mindanao, a southern island in the Philippines, in a small mountain town called Malaybalay, there are 24 abandoned children living together in a Christian home run by Kids International Ministries. I spent the last three weeks falling in love with these children.
About one week in, I pulled out a coloring book of the Disney Pixar movie Up! that I had purchased in Turkey. Gege and Roldan loved it and wanted me to tell them the story. While they colored, an idea came to my mind to have a movie party featuring the movie Up! I did some research and discovered that I could find popcorn (and cheese powder!), balloons and the movie in this small mountain town, so I knew that it was meant to be. I planned with the house mom was very excited (admittedly, more than the kids were). But because the schedule was so busy and there were rolling brown outs, we didn’t get it scheduled until our last Saturday with them. About an hour before the start time, I blew up balloons and popped the corn and waited patiently for the kids to come.
Then the power went out.
My heart sank. We already had our brown out for the day so I was confused and bummed. The kids arrived and kept saying, “Ate (big sister)…movie?” with a longing look in their eyes. They understand brown outs well, but were rightly disappointed. I was too. This is not what I had planned.
I went and got the coloring book and ripped out a page for each child to buy time for the power to come back on. It didn’t. So I got the popcorn. The power still wasn’t on.
Then I pulled out the balloons. And in that instant the power was forgotten and was no longer needed.
There is something about balloons that is fascinating for children – I don’t really understand it, I’m not a kid any more, but I know it’s true because I saw the look in their eyes. And especially these children, who are blessed but have little, they really love balloons. They shrieked, ran, played and laughed.
And a few even got that look, that sparkle, in their eyes. Sheer joy. Without concern for the world and all its troubles. It was so cool.
The sun was setting, the clouds were beautiful against the mountain – it was the perfect moment. I couldn’t help but praise God for his creation. For loving His children and giving us deep joy. And for allowing me to travel halfway around the world to witness these orphaned children being kissed by His amazing love….and filling their souls with His pure joy. Incredible.
And if this moment is happening on a small island, on a small mountain, in a small town, it must be happening all around the world. Yeah, the world sucks sometimes – it is marred by the ugliness of sin and hatred. But is also filled with the awesome beauty of God and His great love for us. It is filled with the incredible fact that He sent Jesus to die, to overcome death, and to redeem the ugliness of sin. Making these moments of beauty possible. Moments to experience His peace and deep joy.
And I am grateful. Grateful for Up! and balloons. Grateful for the Gospel message. Grateful for these kids – and the people who care for them. Grateful that God sent me there to witness His work. Grateful for sheer joy.
