How often have we all heard that we should have faith as children do? The Bible itself shares a story in Luke 18 where the disciples try to pull the children away from Jesus for the adults to have time with him. However, Jesus tells the disciples to bring the children to him. It’s no mystery that children are a precious gift from God. Serving and teaching at the preschool here at the Hope of Life Village of Transformation, my heart is with the children. And each day, they teach me something new.
As the school year begins in January here in Guatemala, we don’t have much time left. I love every moment I spend with these kids. Several students in my class are beginning to read. They love learning how much they are capable of. They also all LOVE reading God’s word. Especially popular stories like David and Goliath and Peter walking on water. They scream “In the name of the Lord!” And they truly believe they can do anything with God on their side just like David. But what I love most is their love of every story of Jesus, from his birth to resurrection. Just last week, we were reading the story of Jesus’ arrest and death on the cross, and a little boy in my class just wanted to go outside instead of read. When I finished the story for the day, he was the first to say, “No! Please read more.” My heart filled with the joy and peace knowing that they not only listen to these stories, but have the faith that they aren’t just that. The Bible is living, and that God has big plans for each and every one of them.
Another thing the students are working on is memorizing scripture. One of the verse they have learned is in Revelation 1:17, “Do not have fear.” A girl came to school one morning, and shared with us about the storm that had come the night before. She said her little sister was crying because she was scared. So, she looked at her sister and said, “Do not have fear! Revelation 1:17.” While I’m not sure if this in any way helped her three year old sister, I know only God can grow faith like that in a seven year old’s heart. I pray that I too, have faith that my God can move mountains, rescue orphans, and fill hearts with peace just like these children have.
