Jesus and Kids and Love

It's been a while since I've given an update, and I think I've been putting it off because there are so many things I could talk about. I could talk about what I've learned about the global church, and what Christ has taught me through it. I could talk about how much I love Guatemala. I could talk about how I'm over halfway finished my time here and about everything that's racing through my mind. But what I really want to tell you about is Jesus and kids. They are the most precious things to me.

Sometimes, when my kids have left my classroom, I literally feel like I've been run over by a train. Trying to keep 25 7-year-olds engaged in an English class is no easy task, let me tell you! But no matter how frustrating, exasperating, and irrational children can be, I look into their faces and see Jesus. I see a treasured little son or little daughter of the Father. They may be treasured by their earthly parents, or they may not be. They might know their dad, but they might not. That's a very sad and very true reality for way too many children in Guatemala. And so I love them with everything I am, not with my own love but with the love Jesus puts in my heart every morning. And His love is so much better than anything I could ever scrape together myself. It's raw, and deep and doesn't have strings attached. Good behaviour doesn't determine how much Jesus loves us, thank goodness. My love for these kids doesn't depend on their attitudes in class, or if they don't understand a concept no matter how many times I've explained it, or how hard they try. I just love, because Jesus just loves.

This incomprehensible love of Jesus is the only thing that can heal the pain of growing up not having a father in your life. Or a mother who abuses you. Or feeling like you could never leave the cycle of not having enough - all of these are things that many of our kids in the school have lived through and are living in.

"He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down, the Lord loves the righteous. The Lord watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked." Psalm 146:7-9

It's a love that's better than life. In school, I get to witness Jesus stepping in and showing the children who they are in His glorious eyes, that they are worthy, that they have purpose, and that the cycles of brokenness can be overcome.

"He heals the broken-hearted and binds up the wounds." Psalm 147:3

I get to bask in the presence of Jesus and feel His smile has we lay our hands on the children and bless them and pray for them every morning during our devotional time, and the Lord gives me the greatest joy through my kids every day. One morning I was particularly tired and not looking forward teaching my three classes. I was standing in the devotional room waiting for worship to begin, and one of my little boys hugs me, looks up at me and says (in English!): "Are you happy?" My heart instantly melted and I said, "Yes, Jonathan. I am happy." "Good!" He smiled and hugged me a little tighter.

I'm so grateful for those instant-heart-melting moments that occur daily. They come through feeling little arms wrapped around my waist, Cristofer's excitement about how he studied for an English test, Marco's face when I got to give him new shoes, and listening to my kids praying, "Jesus, thank-you for Miss Mikhaila" in their Spanish accents during pre-class prayer.

I'm so grateful for a God who loves my kids more than I do, and who decided I was worthy to have a year with them. For a God who has a grand plan for this country that is so full of brokenness, and that He's decided that I get to be part of it. For a God who is a Healer of the broken-hearted, and who binds up their wounds. Who teaches me, corrects me, rebukes me, comforts me, and does more than I could ever understand.

I want to ask you to please pray for Guatemala, and for the children who attend our school. There's so much going on in many of their lives that children should never have to go through. I also want to ask you to consider sponsoring one of our kids. Receiving letters of love and encouragement can change a child's life. You can email sponsorships@globalshore.com for more information, or visit our sponsorship page at globalshore.org.

Thank-you so much for your prayers and words of encouragement. It's means the world to me.

#children #thechildrenofguatemala #jesus #missionsinGuatemala #shorttermmissions #GlobalShoreOpportunities