It was a rainy day, but in Trujillo it does not really
rain—it mists. So we walked to Los
Pinos in the mist and I thought to myself, “This should be a dreary day. It is our last day of VBS at Los
Pinos. I am sad and so is the
weather.” The clouds covered the
top of the mountain that had looked down on us all week. But there was a bright shining light as
our group neared the dirt street where we had been holding VBS—the children and
their smiles! They lit up the
street with such enthusiasm and hope and love!
We started as always with prayer and our songs. The kids and adults alike enjoyed
singing, “Quien hizo?”, “El Rey del Reyes”, “Yo tengo gozo, gozo, gozo”, and
“Hallelujah, Gloria a Dios!”. Then
it was time for the Bible Story.
The children sat in the dirt and ignored the mist as they listened about
Joseph and his brothers and how God provides for us and cares for us no matter
what. How true! Here they had what many in the world
would say is nothing, but really if you have the love of the Lord and a saving relationship
with Him, then you have everything!
Something they could understand.
After the bible story, we started on the craft. It was simply a coloring sheet. But it was so much more! These precious children sat and colored
so intently and quietly for at least 20 minutes! And it did not matter that there was no table. No we sat and let them color on our
backs, our legs, whatever they could find. And it was a special time to be so near and just love these
kids!
Snack is always a time that everyone looks forward to. Today we did not have enough to go
around (what a blessing to have too many kids!) so instead of each child
getting one package of cookies, we opened them and shared. No one complained. No one said it was not fair. They accepted this simple gift with
such grace and gratitude! And we
worked on our memory work with fun games.
Bible school ended as we started the first day and each
day—with song. And a prayer that
they would know the love of Jesus; an explanation that we are there and loving
them because God loved us first; tears, smiles, laughter, and hugs! And then the crowning
jewel—futbol! Each day we played
with the kids after Bible School.
We walked through what one person described as a “landfill”, but it is
just desert that is covered in trash.
Under the power lines that you can hear the power buzzing through
overhead and to the cement soccer field with goals of metal and no nets. And we played and played. Half the group (boys) played futbol and
the girls just played in the dirt and sand. You have not seen such joy and love as you have in a sandlot
or cement soccer field.
And finally it was time to leave. We said our sad goodbyes and left Los Pinos, but we left it
changed. The first day the
children were timid and had to be coaxed out of their homes into the dirt road
to join us. The last day they were
kissing us on the cheek, hugging goodbye, waving as we approached and as we
left. Lives were changed. And not just in the children, but in
the adults also. Everyone had a
special child they had bonded with.
No one expected VBS in a dirt road, but they adapted. They shared the love of God on children
that played in trash fields. No
one flinched. No one
complained. We just loved. We loved the children because God first
loved us. We loved each other
because that is the second greatest love to show. To love your neighbor as yourself. We found that our neighbor may be on the other side of the
world. But we can love them with
all of our heart, strength and mind.
While half of the Trinity team held Bible School each day,
the other half held medical clinics.
I was not with them and cannot tell their story like the Bible School
one, but I know that they too changed lives. They provided healing, both physically and emotionally and
spiritually. Many said they
treated the physical problems as well as they could, but it was the spiritual
healing that was most gratifying.
To pray with and for each patient as they spent time with them. To love them because God first loved
us. That is what this entire week
has been about. Thanks be to
God! And Thanks be to Trinity
Presbyterian!
