A small hand was held in my right hand and another small
hand was grasped in my left. My eyes switched back and forth between them as
their smiles made me laugh. I stooped down a bit so the little arms could lock
around my own and then I lifted them off the ground as we spun. I would lift
them high to my shoulder level and then lower them down to the ground,
alternating their rise and fall as we turned. This is how you make friends for
life. This is how you turn a moment into forever. I will not forget them.
As drove a nail through a panel I felt a small tap at the
back of my head. I continued to nail and I waited to see what might happen
next. Again… tap. I smiled and took another nail from the bunch sticking out of
my mouth and continued to attach the board. Finally, a third tap. I dropped the
tools and let the nails fall from my lips as I turned. She was about 3 feet
tall, with incredible dark hair and bright eyes that had no equal except for
her smile. She reached up to me with both arms as she said, “te amo.”
I reached down and returned her hug. Suddenly I was
surrounded by outstretched arms… both boys and girls. I lost count of how many
heads that were cradled against my own. Self-consciousness fully fell to
abandon as tears streamed from my eyes while I gave up all that I could offer…
hugs and candy.
We were at the school in Labor de Falle, a village just
beyond Cerro Alto, high above San Cristobal Guatemala. Our group took a break
from home building today so that we could help serve lunches and play with the
children. I am always overwhelmed with
the stark contrasts of utter desolation and perfect beauty that exist in this
land, and today was another of those moments. For a few minutes, my soul was
transfigured to a higher place. Surely, we were in the presence of God.
Language is no barrier here. We sang together, we danced,
and we hung from the rafters like monkeys. I stood in awe as I watched my son
and his new friend Kevin laughing and playing with these impoverished children
who shine the light of truth on my own malnourished soul. It is remarkable that
I see the face of Jesus in their gaze. They have broken and mangled feet, open
sores on their faces, parasites on their bodies, and even inside of their organs. They are
unbelievably small for their age, and none of them have healthy teeth. They
must live with constant pain.
And yet… I have never seen such a zest for life. I have
never seen such a thankfulness for a hug or a piece of gum. I have never been
so aware of the great expectation of my own life. When is the last time that I
reached up to God and told Him that I love Him? When is the last time that I
accepted freely what He has to offer, fully realizing that I have no way to
repay Him? Why can’t I understand that I do not need to?
Christ told His disciples to simply come as a little child.
Yes.
Today I get that.
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| DAY THREE |
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