Utter joy is what comes to mind when I think of the kids who live in Manantiales. They have every reason not to smile. Most are in the same outfit that I saw them in last, dirt is constantly caked on their skin, their bellies growling for their next meal. Yet, they have the most contagious joy and faith I have ever seen. Circumstances don’t dictate how they act. The simplest things bring beautiful smiles to their faces. Whether it’s a hug or a hot meal. Their faces light up. Coming to Ciudad Refugio (Ciudad de los Niños) gives them an escape to be a kid. It gives them freedom to completely let go.
There is a family of 10 kids that come to the program. The oldest is 11 and he takes care of all his younger siblings while their parents are off doing their thing. One of the younger boys, Felipe (6), has totally captured my heart. He always has on the same yellow Brazil soccer jersey, he has sores on his legs from not bathing, but on the rare occasion when he smiles the whole world stops. First meeting Felipe two weeks ago, he was very timid and seemed to want nothing to do with me. Then after a while I began to find him at my side. Now he’s my little buddy always wanting me to play soccer with him, wanting to make up handshakes, and constantly wanting me to hold him or his hand. This kid loves to adventure, in his own world, climbing on things or finding secret ways to get places. This last Saturday he disappeared for a while, then I felt a little tug on my shirt and heard a quiet “venga venga”. He proceeded to lead me down a secret pathway he discovered with the biggest grin and so much pride. When it comes time for the playing to stop and Bible studies to begin, he makes sure to clench my hand a little tighter and pull me with him to his class. The once timid little boy, opened up to me and I can now see how much he trusts me and the bond we’ve formed.
Mark 10:13-16 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.
Luke 9:46-48 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. Jesus knowing their thoughts, took a little child and had him stand beside him. Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”
Jesus was calling his disciples into a type of childlike faith. Faith that I’ve seen demonstrated through Felipe and the hundreds of other children in the program. Faith that would usually be overlooked. It would be so easy to see these children as dirty or less than and write them off as insignificant. Once we humble ourselves we can see the beauty and lessons in having faith like a child. They trust completely, are hungry for knowledge, and live in a type of humility we pray for. They live a life of dependence, the same dependence we strive to find in God. We are here to minister to the children, but I find myself seeing God in them. They teach me to look at the Bible with simplicity, to let go, have fun, love on people, and act in humility.
So, I challenge you to see Jesus through the eyes of a child. Stop overthinking. Learn something from someone you usually wouldn’t. Open your eyes to those least among us. Find adventures, seek a new path, whisper “venga venga” to those around you, and grasp their hands a little tighter as you take them along with you.
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