So today the group built two homes and did VBS in a new-to-us village. I was at the first construction site. Shortly after we unloaded the truck and began working, I heard familiar music coming from one of the neighboring homes. Straining to hear above the sounds of roaming livestock, laughing children, and construction clatter I recognized “the Heart of Worship” in Spanish. The Holy Spirit reminded me that God was at work in Nicaragua long before we ever imagined we would be coming here, and He will continue working in Nicaragua when we leave; we are merely joining God where He is already present and active in the hearts and lives of people He created and loves dearly.
Because there were more bodies than there was work at this construction site, Jessica, Dana and I took out embroidery floss and made simple friendship bracelets with some of the children that were around. I thought it would not take long to make some bracelets for the few kids I saw, but after we started more and more kids crowded around us. It was overwhelming to have so many children pressing in, but what an opportunity to have a few simple conversations and to pray as we worked with our hands!
In the afternoon we had VBS. Today’s experience seemed a lot different than last night—whereas the children last night listened to the story and made crafts in an orderly and respectful manner, played games and engaged with us, and shared things with one another, the children tonight were unruly and everything seemed really chaotic. We brought a lot of toys and candy to give out, and as soon as we brought out something new a sea of hands from eager children crowded us. Immediately gifts and candy were shoved into pockets. I heard ‘thank you’ very few times.
Part way through games, the Holy Spirit convicted me of my bad attitude. It is so easy to serve people that are grateful and well behaved. It is easier to serve some than it is others. And yet God created these children and loves them. I cannot control their actions or decide for them how to think; I can however choose what my thoughts and actions will be. In that moment, God wanted me to love these unruly children. My thoughts that dictated my facial expression and actions needed to be focused on God. Replacing my frown and furrowed brow with a smile and taking the opportunity to pray any time I felt frustration creeping in, I allowed God to show me His perspective.
Stories about the crowds surrounding Jesus flooded my mind. I think I might have a better understanding of what it must have been like for Him—all of the hands reaching out, wanting something from Jesus but not really knowing what; the pushing and shoving and pressing in; the eyes of people hungering for Him but only wanting something from Him. And I think we sometimes approach God in similar ways. We sometimes only seek His blessing instead of seeking to know the Blesser. We seek healing instead of the Healer. We seek gifts instead of the Giver. We hide away what He gives us instead of sharing it with others.
