Showing up and Being There

Sunday was a beautiful worship day in El Salvador. We were able to spend the afternoon playing with the kids from La Casa on the church grounds. They were so happy and full of energy. One of the little boys was so fun to watch dance. Entertaining us was definitely a bright spot in his day - but an even brighter spot in our day. Juan is a performer. His big smile stole our hearts as he danced to the beat of Michael Jackson by team members!

Monday:

Every now and then we get the opportunity to just show up and by being present we get a small glimpse of why God has us in the very moment that we are in. We look around and see God's beauty in all the children. Today, we assisted a medical team on the farm of La Casa. Families from the village came to see physicians, dentist, and pharmacists. Our job was to entertain the children while they were waiting to seek medical care.

In my own human weakness, I was frustrated that we were not able to share the VBS that we had prepared for the children of the village. It was too difficult with children coming in and out at different times. We were outside and sometimes 2 or 3 children were with us and other times it was 20 ish. We had to change the course of our plan. I am a planner. God showed me today that while we are supposed to plan and do things to the best of our ability - sometimes it is more important to just show up and be present for someone.

I looked around and this is what I discovered about our flexible team mates that couldn't carry out our plans. Connor was playing badmitton with a little boy that could barely see. He never hit the ball. Connor was so patient with him and I wonder if anyone ever takes the time to play with him. Shelby was blowing bubbles over and over with a little girl and patiently helping two little boys with the magnetic fish. Gabrielle was coloring with some little girls and talking with them while the little girls had nothing but smiles on their faces. Ashlee was finding cups to give all the children water because they had been waiting patiently and playing for hours. Tripp was kicking a ball with a little boy that acted as if he had never kicked a ball. Physicians and dentists were playing with the very poor village people.

We were supposed to just show up today. My prayer is that we never forget to show up and be there for God's people and He will show us what to do. Maybe we'll get to do the vbs, maybe we won't. But one thing is for sure - no matter where we go - God shows up and so should we!