This whole month we’ve been working alongside an organization called, Kids International Ministries, or K.I.M for short. They have two locations, one in Manila and one in Tacloban. My team and I have been blessed to have been placed in Tacloban. The family who hosts us have been so generous and loving with us that we feel like part of the family. Not just them, but everyone we meet just wants to give even though they may not have enough.
I’m especially blown away by all the kids here. On Saturday mornings, we have Awana, which is pretty much like Sunday school but on a Saturday. We sing songs, play games, and then split up by age into groups for bible time. This past Saturday I sat in with the primary school kids and was amazed by their hunger for more of God. These kids didn’t have a tv to play bible videos and they didn’t have props to go along with the story. All they have is the pastor sharing the story and asking questions. He shared about Noah and the Ark and all 11 of the kids were engaged in what he was saying and knew the answers to most of his questions. They don’t need videos or props or other fancy things to learn more of God, all they need was someone willing to share with them and listen to them. Their hunger for wanting to know more of God was very evident and it blew me away. It may be just because life is very different from America here. They don’t have much to distract them; they just have God. But it’s more than just wanting to listen to Bible stories and wanting more of God, it’s living that out. That same Saturday, we had a feeding in the afternoon in a community and after, all the little kids wanted to show us to their waterfall that they play in. They led us through the jungle and were our little guides all the way till the waterfall. The entire time till we reached the waterfall, they were howling and laughing and it made me feel like Pater Pan and the lost boys. We finally reach their waterfall and they start doing all these back flips into the water and just showing off, mind you, they’re just like 7 years old! It was a gift to be there with all of them. What was so beautiful to see was how much selflessness and joy they had even though they didn’t have much. They made sure they were there for one another and for us whether it was climbing over rocks or making a safe path for the rest to walk on, they did it all without being asked to do so. These kids showed what it means to live and have faith like we all should. They didn’t live and do things for themselves, but for God and to help others. They lived out what it meant to have childlike faith and live for God. Seeking out God with all your heart, serving others, and doing it all while being joyful.
“Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 18:4 ESV
