Here we sit in a bible school class room on Christmas day. The sun is pounding down on the corrugated tin roof above, nearly 102 degrees of pure African heat with 30 little faces shining up at us from around a table where a Christmas tree sits surrounded by 30 presents.
The ice cream is scooped out, melting before it can get to the receivers little hand. No one, no sibling, no other child, no hungry elder will rob them of their blessing, because here they are safe! And then it happens, for a brief moment, when the world completely stops, when circumstances and challenges of life are suddenly put to the sideline, for a moment of complete and utter bliss. It is the moment of the very first lick of an ice cream cone in a six year olds hand…the all consuming aroma of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, the cold cream dripping down their little chins. A giggle takes hold and the world seems a bit brighter as the children’s eyes widen in pleasant excitement for this new embarked on experience, of yes, merely ice cream.
The ice cream is scooped out, melting before it can get to the receivers little hand. No one, no sibling, no other child, no hungry elder will rob them of their blessing, because here they are safe! And then it happens, for a brief moment, when the world completely stops, when circumstances and challenges of life are suddenly put to the sideline, for a moment of complete and utter bliss. It is the moment of the very first lick of an ice cream cone in a six year olds hand…the all consuming aroma of vanilla, strawberry, and chocolate, the cold cream dripping down their little chins. A giggle takes hold and the world seems a bit brighter as the children’s eyes widen in pleasant excitement for this new embarked on experience, of yes, merely ice cream.
 As they giggle down their first cone we share with them the reason for the season, God’s shining light into the world, our Lord Jesus Christ. A very small child in tattered clothes gazes up as she holds her tiny one year old sister on her hip, listening to the story, trying to understand this love we talk about. My world stops for a moment as I look at her and think to myself, as I hold my own daughter, where is her mother and isn’t she wondering where her babies are and if they are alright? My heart just breaks. These children live in complete poverty, daily hunger, and lack of basic needs, trust, and even parental love. So how do we explain to these children what God’s love is like? “God’s love tastes like that ice cream cone,” and their tiny eyes widen, “it is delicious and refreshing, it brings hope and excitement for more to come, it is sweet and there is always enough for everyone.”   Then we watch as the children are handed a gift, their first toy, their eyes light up brightly as they open their very first toy truck or Barbie doll. They quickly open it and stuff it in their little paper bag they had been given with goodies, so no one else will grab it. “God’s love is abundantly more than we could ever hope or imagine and he has not forgotten a single one of you. Jesus came so you may have hope and light in your darkness, so no matter what your circumstance you will know He is there for you” we tell them, as their tiny faces light up with unspeakable joy. “God’s love is abundantly more than we could have imagined, just like this day for you, and just like the day when He sent His only Son to die on a cross and be raised back to life so that each one of you could have the gift of eternal life and a new hope for your future and your very own light shining in your hearts to light your way.” |
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Christ commanded us to go into all the world and share the hope of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have been deeply humbled to see those He has placed before us and we stand astonished at the great Love He has for each one of us, not forgetting a single one, no matter how far hidden away we may seem on this vast earth. He sent a saviour to be a light into every corner and crevice of this dark world.
May we encourage you this New Year to shine His light into someone’s darkness. You are not called according to your qualifications, but according to your willingness to go wherever and to whomever He sends you to. So we encourage you to be a part of this great commission and watch as God fulfils His purpose on this earth to bring His children back into fellowship with Himself while you discover the same deeper love that He has for you.
Heiko and I would like to thank the German couple for their generous gift sent to us for these children this Christmas and say what a blessing it was to be your hands and feet and deliver this message. Thank You and God Bless!
May we encourage you this New Year to shine His light into someone’s darkness. You are not called according to your qualifications, but according to your willingness to go wherever and to whomever He sends you to. So we encourage you to be a part of this great commission and watch as God fulfils His purpose on this earth to bring His children back into fellowship with Himself while you discover the same deeper love that He has for you.
Heiko and I would like to thank the German couple for their generous gift sent to us for these children this Christmas and say what a blessing it was to be your hands and feet and deliver this message. Thank You and God Bless!
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