We went in to do construction, host children's programs, youth programs, community programs and this year we added a women's night. That was one of my favorite nights, so I will save that for last. But even though the work is similar, there are always different results and different experiences.
For today's blog, I focus on the children of Brisas del Mar.
I am more immersed with the Youth probably than I am with the kids, or maybe it's that there are more children than teens so I remember the teens' names better. But these kids are just precious. They laugh and love and fight and cry just like the kids here. But there is an element to them not found always in our surroundings in the states, which is hard to pinpoint.
The majority of the kids are loving, outgoing, hungry to take photos with us and happy to play the simplest of games. This year we did a puppet show with them for one of the activities and they just thought it was the most fun thing to make their own paper puppet and act out the story we'd just told. (Once they figured out how to do the puppet, that is.)
And with the Fun Fest we do each year, the kids come for temporary tattoos and face painting and carnival games. Only, the games are different. Throw a sponge onto a frisbee to make it land; blow a ping pong ball into a cup; toss rings. They don't get a prize, they just play... and they are happy to do so. Face painting and tattoos are the biggest hits of the event, of course. We watch them laugh and play and have fun and in the end, they line up and get a small goodie bag to take home.
One night (although I am not doing this story justice because I only caught pieces of it) when we were meeting with the youth, the other part of the team was entertaining all the kids that came. And somehow it would seem there became a game being played with a sock? Maybe they were tossing a sock around? Whatever the case is, the point is that it doesn't take silver and gold to entertain these kids. They are happy to be loved, and to play the simple games just for fun.
The kids love their photos taken and their eyes tell stories of life in Brisas del Mar that we can not capture with words. They are of a rich heritage, but as the village grows and progresses, the children are beginning to have better opportunities than in the previous generations. The children flock from person to person, holding up their thumbs for photos to be taken and then of course wanting to see how they looked.
I was really struck though by one particular moment with a child. I don't know his name. But you'll see photos below. At the Fun Fest, the teens help and so we as the team members get to just really (eventually) enjoy what is going on rather than run the games entirely. As I was milling about, taking photos and talking to the children, a little boy landed in front of me and was so sweet, I just had to pick him up. I miss those young toddler days of my own, and holding on to those in Brisas del Mar is special. And so I picked this little boy up. It was evident he was tired, though he wasn't grumpy. I just could see it in his eyes. And so I began to sway back and forth with him. He fought it for a bit but eventually, he was asleep in my arms.
I can't tell you the last time I had a child that size sleeping in my arms. I savored the moment. But as I was holding on to him, soaking in the innocence and also watching the kids laugh and play around me, I thought how Jesus said in the Bible, "Let the little children come to me."
Jesus loves those little children. He loves us adults too. But so often, especially in a community like Brisas, it can happen where the kids get a little less importance. But Jesus said "let them come to me." And as I watched the kids play and held this sleeping toddler, that was impressed upon my heart.
Let the children come to me.
Jesus made the kids important, too, in a world where they may have been disregarded somewhat, too. Let's face it.... I won't generalize all of society, but so often we get focused on our adult worlds that we forget to be like a child, and we can forget to love those children in the ways they need and deserve . Watching these kids take in the joys... That is Jesus personified. That is what we are supposed to be about. Meeting people where they are. Appreciating their level (or even lack of). Letting the children come to him in freedom and laughter and love.
He valued them.
We valued them as well. Not to glorify us, but so that God might be glorified. So that they might come to know Him one day.
I won't forget that moment. I certainly won't forget the children in Brisas. They laugh and laugh and teach me to laugh as well at my mistakes, at my messy hair and at life. They have nothing... we watch them come for the feeding program and they have nothing, but they have a hope. A hope we often ourselves lose in the midst of busy days and adult worries. And I love the hope that they bring to life rekindles the fire in me, too.
Let the little children come...
Often songs from my childhood come back to me, especially in moments like that. And I recall the song "Red and Yellow Black and White they are precious in His sight. Jesus love the little children of the world."
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| Making Puppets |
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| Coloring Sheets |
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| We put together school bags for all the kids, and here they are lining up to receive them. |
