We turn the corner, about a block away from the church.  Two children notice us and sound the alarm.  “Wazungu!  Wazungu!”  (The white people are coming!) 
Faces peek out from doorways, and kids jumped down out of trees. 
A crowd of children starts running towards us. 

They jump into Cara and Sharon’s arms. 
Laura grabs one and throws him over her shoulder. 
They stare up at Angi’s camera. 
They wrap their arms around my legs until I bend down to hug them. 
They cry out with joy at seeing us again! 
Such an enthusiastic and warm welcome! 
They grab Jeff and Mark’s hands and walk alongside them the rest of the way to church.

Once in church, they nestle onto our laps or take turns sitting next to us on the pews.  They lift their hands in the air and sing loudly.  They kneel to pray, often resting their forehead on the floor.

Oh, that we would approach God with the enthusiasm and confidence of children!

Jesus said, “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 10:14-15) 

How excited do we get when we know we’re about to encounter God?
How eager are we to learn?
How earnest are our songs and prayers?
How awed are we by His majesty?
How comfortable are we crawling into His lap and letting Him cradle us in His arms like a Father?

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