“Jo ni, jo ni, jo ni kwangu” our Sunday school kids sing loudly with dance steps. Rebecca explains that this song is about Jesus calling the children, “Come to me.” We are so proud of these 20 kids ranging from toddler to primary school-aged who have learned new songs, listened attentively to Bible stories, memorized Bible verses, created their own crafts, and played games with us for the past three Sundays. This morning, while I strummed the guitar, the kids sang “Mungu ni mzuri. Mungu ni mzuri. Mungu ni mzuri, ni mzuri kwangu,” God is so good in Swahili, for the church community. I commended the congregation on the blessing of their children and challenged them to cherish their children, the future leaders of the church, and bless them by continuing Sunday school classes which we had reinstated.
“Yes Sir!” the children shout with a salute as we enter the orphanage courtyard, a reminder of the children’s song, “The Lord’s Army,” we taught them during our last visit. “The children love having you come,” comments Helen, a volunteer at the orphanage from Germany. “You are welcome anytime,” invites Coffey, mother of the orphanage. She explains that most of the 51 orphans are from Kisumu, all attend school at the local diocese sponsored school, and love the songs, skits, games, and Bible stories we bring. These children are a community, who like brothers and sisters, fight, laugh, play, eat, and do life together. They are alive with inexplicable joy!
In the front row of our English class sits James, a boy about 10 years old from the church neighborhood, who happened to wander into the church yard while we were waiting for some church members. James became instant friends with our squad leader, Dan, and began to come to church events to spend time with his new friends and to improve his conversational English. While James does not come to church on Sundays, he does hear about the love of God for him through our English lessons. He eagerly participates in our class activities and especially loves answering our review quiz questions. He has a thirst for knowledge but even more so, he desires to be accepted and loved by his community and found a home where he is encouraged in our English classes.
Children have been a primary focus of my ministries this month and through them I have come to learn a few things about the community of God. The Bible has this to say:
“‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’ And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.” Mark 10:14-16
“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself lie this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me.” Mark 18:3-5
Children are a blessing to their community. They have grace and a joy that forgives and forgets quickly and a hopefulness with expectant anticipation of good things to come. They teach us how to love so much it hurts and to think the best of other people. They show us what it means to have peace even when things around are crumbling. They are thirsty for new things and eager to embrace differences rather than to defend their right. Children of Iringa, Tanzania are a blessing to my heart.
