It's been a long week of nonstop ministry for the team.
This morning we were looking forward to a little extra sleep before we headed out to do children's ministry.
The doorbell rang about 45 minutes early and more than half of the team was still in bed.
As we scampered outside and onto the truck, I'm pretty sure we were all
trying to readjust our focus onto the task at hand.
Upon arrival at our location, the next hour or so was spent collecting kids from the neighborhood for our outreach.
Both Becki and myself ended up back at the meeting point before the rest of the team and got the opportunity to play with some of the kids before the rest of the team arrived.
After a long week, it's easy to sit back and not really interact with the kids since there's a rather large language barrier but I committed to making the effort when I saw a little boy hiding in the corner and my heart just went out to him.
He was probably the cutest little munchkin I have ever seen
(sorry, no picture – I know, I failed)
but as shy as could be.
I tried to talk to him, nothing.
Tried to play a game with him, no response.
Then one of the other girls decided to bring out her pet bird and he didn't like that.
Not one bit, to the point that he got as close to me
as humanly possible to keep him safe from the bird.
What a great reminder that sometimes a continual effort can bring forth familiarity.
As we made our way to the park for the children's service, I noticed a little girl who wouldn't leave her brother's side.
Valiant efforts were made on my part to get her to talk and play at the park but she just shook her head and hid behind her brother.
I had such a sense of compassion on her and just wanted a quick moment to hug and love on her. To remind her that she's beautifully, fearfully and wonderfully made, and that she isn't forgotten.
During our praise songs,
I asked her to dance with me
and she finally gave in.
Then, she wouldn't let me out of her sight.
Every second she was attached to me,
whether I was holding her or she was holding my pinky.
I had the privilege of spending the whole morning with her
and got to encourage her in so many ways.
My sentence of the day?
"Tu es muy bonita y muy intelligente y muy siempre y muy especiale"
Her response?
"Te amo" with a a huge smile on her face.
As we walked the children back to their homes,
it dawned on me.
The might have been the only time she has been told that.
That might have been the only moment she would hear of God's love.
And I was the privileged individual that got to partake in the moment.
I was given the honor of pouring those truths into her.
That is what this journey is about, pouring God's love into the forgotten.
(and having fun while doing it!)
<3tasha
