Sometimes the most important work we can do for God is to notice people.

I am the first to admit that I often get caught up in my own life, and if I am not careful, I find my eyes closed to those around me. 

 This week we went to the beach with the students and staff of the mission training facility on one of our off days. Once there, we had a service and ate a delicious lunch.

And then we played. Volleyball. Soccer. Swimming. You name it. There was a surfeit of joy on the beach that day, and I will treasure all the laughs, the sounds of the ocean, and all the shouts of “Selfie Miss?” I even held a stranger’s baby for a photo! Standing out in a crowd is definitely something you have to get used to.

But most of all, I will treasure my time with this child.

He is not one of the students I am teaching this month; he is a local boy who wandered down to the beach to see what all the commotion was about.

I was resting under the pavilion when I noticed him perched atop a small mound with a black plastic bag in his hand. Donning a red Messi jersey he scanned the sea of unknown faces. I watched him for a few minutes before I called him over; I asked his name and how he was in Indonesian. 

Then I had to get creative. We passed my phone back and forth, using Google translate to have a conversation. I taught him some English words, and he taught me some Indonesian words. One of them was “dance,” so he showed me “The Robot” and I showed him the “Macarena.”

“What’s in your black bag?” I asked. He gingerly untied the handles to reveal his most prized possession, a collection of marbles. Then, he patiently taught me to play his game, at which I was not very good. We laughed and cheered together as we played because that is the same in every language. 

We were even able to talk a bit about God that day.

 

 

When I think back, I realize I could have easily missed this young boy. I could easily overlooked someone who just wanted a friend to play with, and I could have easily missed out on the opportunity to learn so much from him.

I’m sure glad I didn’t miss it.

Until the Whole World Hears,

Mia 

PS – Please note that I still do not have access to WiFi, so it may be next month before I can respond to your comments. Love y’all!