The thing that has struck me the most in the past 3 weeks here in Chile is the love that the adults we have served with have for the children they are investing in. Their desire for these kids to know Jesus and to know his love is so evident. I see it in their eyes, I see it in their actions, and their words. I see it in their tone of voice and in their hugs and smiles to the kids.
I feel so drawn to them because they radiate the love of Christ and they invite others into that.
Below are a few specific people who I have seen this in the most and some stories about them:
Yianina
Yianina is one of the religion teachers that we have been working with during our time in the school. We don’t speak the same language but when she looks at you the love it is so soft and tender.
During one of the classes, 4 people from our team taught the class about some different types of prayer. It turned out to be a really powerful time because we had the students practice prayers of intercession for their classmates and the Holy Spirit healed people.
At the end of the class, Yianina came up to us and said, “Thank you for teaching the class. This class is known as the mean class so thank you for making them listen and participate. You really made a difference and I pray that God will continue to use you wherever you go.” That was powerful to me to see how much she cares for these kids and wants them to know the love of God.
Marcela
Marcela serves with kids from the church around the ages of 8-12. We were asked to come join them one night but we had another ministry to be at that night as well. So the team split up and I went with Rob and Brandon to this small group with Marcela.
While we were waiting for all the kids to arrive, Rob and Brandon were playing with a few of the kids and I was talking to Marcela. She asked why I was here and I told her about the heart God has given me for ministry in other countries. (This was all in very broken Spanish on my part.)
After the games, we all sat down and she started talking to the kids. I was able to understand more than I thought I would. (SIDE NOTE: there have been many times here that I’ve understood a lot of someone was saying either during prayer or something else that had to have been God translating in my head because I did not know most of those words on my own. How cool.)
Anyway, she asked me to tell the kids what I had told her, and she talked to the kids about how when we have a relationship with Jesus we find a purpose for our life. Jesus gives it to us. As she was talking to the kids I was mesmerized by her passion and love for these kids. Throughout the whole night she was all about making these kids feel loved and helping them understand God’s love for them. At the end we went and ate French fries and pop on the beach. What a cool night.
Alvaro
Alvaro is the pastor at the church plant that we have been partnering with as well. The church plant is in Bonilla, which is a low-income part of Antofagasta. There are a lot of immigrants and a lot of the kids that we go there to play with and love on have broken families with fathers in jail or mothers in prostitution.
As with the others, Alvaro’s unconditional love for these kids is mesmerizing. But with him, he has a special position of showing the kids the love of a father, just like their father in heaven. And he uses that position for God’s glory. It’s such a pure and honest love that the kids can easily trust in him and learn the love of their heavenly father. What an amazing man.
Jessica
Jessica is the other religion teacher that my group has been working with. She also has a deep love for the kids and for them to know Jesus. But she is so fun in that love. She loves connecting with the kids in their “language”. Whether that means dabbing (a dance move) or trying to learn English with them, she is willing to do it to reach the kids. And she’s always playing games with them after a teaching to keep the fun going and the passion for learning alive. Her zeal for life and for Jesus’ love is so contagious. I love her so much!
Mustafa
Mustafa is the vice principle (Inspector General) at the school and has been with us since day one. He walked us around to all the classes on the first day and introduced us. We haven’t had much time with him but every time I see him he has a smile on his face and is wanting to help us in any way he can. As he was introducing us to the classes, his love for the kids and the school was evident. And he was so excited to have others come to the school to help continue the mission of telling the kids about Jesus. I wish I had more time to get to know him but even in our little interactions, I know he is a great man.
I hope to be like all these amazing adults as I grow and learn and serve those around me. I want the love of Christ to radiate off me so that those around me can know him and his love for them too. I love all of these people so much and they have left a mark on my heart as I go forward to other countries.
P.S. We have 2 days left here in Antofagasta. On Friday we will head to San Pedro, Chile to camp for a few days in the desert before debrief starts on September 2.
