One of my favorite adventures in Colombia was the hour it took to get to this small church for kids club. We followed the Pastora having no information, but a feelings of safety and confidence as we knew the Lord was going with us.
First bus, down the winded mountain road through beautifully packs towns with small shops having their produce hanging out the front door. There were too many food carts to count, selling handmade empanadas and other street food. We rapidly jump off this first bus as its slowing down to let us out, the views over the city of Medellin were breathtaking.
We arrived and quickly ran through the crowded street downhill, then uphill to our next bus stop. We watch the over-confident driver flip a quick three-point-turn through the middle of the busy two way street to pick us up. I wondered why people pay for roller coasters when they could just take public transportation in Colombia.
We whipped around blind corners, swerved to narrowly mis pot holes and pedestrians. We arrive at our destination, again quickly jumping off before the bus sped off again. We walked through a park in a small town to finally get to the kids center.
We walked into a room full of excited nine year-olds and began the activities and get-to-know-you games. With the added difficulty of translation and limited language, we taught on John 3:16. I got to tell them about a Person who gave up His favorite thing (His Son) because He loves them so much. I asked the kids what their favorite thing in the world is. The answers were dogs, toys, their mom. Then we asked how they would feel if they had to give those things up.
Who would you give your favorite thing up for? God loves us so much that He gave up his favorite thing in the universe, His Son. God loves you that much.
We came up with hand motions to remember the verse and turned it into a game. We shared some of our own testimonies of experiencing God’s love in our lives, and how that transformed us.
The older kids were practicing their English with us as we colored together and had snacks. We danced together and got to give them donated shoebox wrapped gifts. The kids were so excited, it felt like Christmas as we watched them all rip open their boxes. Each gift was randomly, yet perfectly matched with its recipient. The toys and games inside seemed to match their personalities and wants perfectly.
The gift He gave me that day was of adventure; the gift He has been lavishing on me for the past 9 months. Just like the kids’, what He has been giving me is exactly what I have needed and what my heart has desired.
God gives such incredible gifts to His children.
