One of my favorite parables from Jesus is found in Luke Chapter 15:3-7, the Parable of the Lost Sheep. It talks about a good shepherd who leaves his flock of 99 sheep, to go after the one sheep that was lost. It’s such a beautiful picture of how the Lord pursues us, individually, and how one soul is worth the effort!
During our morning briefing on Day 1, Freedom, one of our amazing missionary hosts, shared one practical way he is intentional about making connections at ministry sites—and that was simply to be intentional about “seeing” the one who seems to be left out or overlooked and choosing to engage them.
While both days at La Comuna proved to be soul stirring, today, I got the opportunity to implement Freedom’s guidance.
I served at an activity station where we did a hands and heart craft to remind the younger children (ages 6-8) that Jesus loves us. In my second group, at the end of the row, a little boy in blue Spider-Man hoodie and bucket hat sat with his head bowed, not participating.
One of our translators, who was assisting another child, tried to engage him when she noticed he was not doing anything, but he rebuffed her advances.
Rather than give up, I went and sat next to him, and said, “Que pasa?”
Despite the language barrier, I was able to learn my new friend, Emiliano— had not liked how his coloring on one of his hands turned out. I asked if it would be okay to color his other hand, he said “Sí” (yes). By the time I colored finger number 3, Emiliano was telling me which color to use next. I wrote my name on the back of the hand we finished together. Then, he found another hand, and we worked on coloring that one together. He wrote my name on the back and then his name and age…siete (7), the same as my oldest child.
What a blessing to be let into a child’s life, and experience, that way!
And what a reminder of how much God loves us! Emiliano’s frustration in the moment was similar to where I have found myself in the past.
How many times have I tried to, or wanted to opt out of God’s plan for a situation because I didn’t like the way it looked?
You may find yourself in that place too.
Rather than leaving us alone to sulk or sit in frustration, Jesus instead comes to us, individually, like any good shepherd. Not only does Jesus come to us, but He sits with us, and in the end He shows us a better way that is only possible when we open ourselves up to Him. And our cooperation with Him, through obedience to His word, results in a truly and magnificent picture that we would never be able to achieve apart from Him.
It’s only been two days, but I’m so grateful for what the Lord is doing in our entire team as we serve along faithful ministers and missionaries. To Him be the glory and the honor!
During our morning briefing on Day 1, Freedom, one of our amazing missionary hosts, shared one practical way he is intentional about making connections at ministry sites—and that was simply to be intentional about “seeing” the one who seems to be left out or overlooked and choosing to engage them.
While both days at La Comuna proved to be soul stirring, today, I got the opportunity to implement Freedom’s guidance.
I served at an activity station where we did a hands and heart craft to remind the younger children (ages 6-8) that Jesus loves us. In my second group, at the end of the row, a little boy in blue Spider-Man hoodie and bucket hat sat with his head bowed, not participating.
One of our translators, who was assisting another child, tried to engage him when she noticed he was not doing anything, but he rebuffed her advances.
Rather than give up, I went and sat next to him, and said, “Que pasa?”
Despite the language barrier, I was able to learn my new friend, Emiliano— had not liked how his coloring on one of his hands turned out. I asked if it would be okay to color his other hand, he said “Sí” (yes). By the time I colored finger number 3, Emiliano was telling me which color to use next. I wrote my name on the back of the hand we finished together. Then, he found another hand, and we worked on coloring that one together. He wrote my name on the back and then his name and age…siete (7), the same as my oldest child.
What a blessing to be let into a child’s life, and experience, that way!
And what a reminder of how much God loves us! Emiliano’s frustration in the moment was similar to where I have found myself in the past.
How many times have I tried to, or wanted to opt out of God’s plan for a situation because I didn’t like the way it looked?
You may find yourself in that place too.
Rather than leaving us alone to sulk or sit in frustration, Jesus instead comes to us, individually, like any good shepherd. Not only does Jesus come to us, but He sits with us, and in the end He shows us a better way that is only possible when we open ourselves up to Him. And our cooperation with Him, through obedience to His word, results in a truly and magnificent picture that we would never be able to achieve apart from Him.
It’s only been two days, but I’m so grateful for what the Lord is doing in our entire team as we serve along faithful ministers and missionaries. To Him be the glory and the honor!