Once a month we take eggs on the truck to give out with the rice and beans. Each member of the family gets one egg in addition to their regular scoop of rice and beans. Now, you wouldn't think that this is a big deal but believe me it is a big event in the bateyes. When we pull into the batey the people see the eggs on the back of the truck and the cry goes out that this is egg week and everyone comes. In one particular batey, I was scooping rice when I heard a cry from the other side of the truck. I turned around and there was an older boy, I would guess 13-14 years old, holding an egg with a much younger girl next to him crying. He was yelling and saying something to Jess. My focus was on the girl by him, holding her bowls with her rice and beans, with her eggs for her family on top of the rice. She was so upset, I just wanted to hug her. I asked Jess what the problem was and she told me that the boy had stolen one of her eggs from the bowl. I can understand why that would make her angry but it seemed like it was so much more. We gave her another egg to replace what was stolen and she turned and walked away. I then learned that she was upset because she was frightened. Scared to go home and tell her family that one of the eggs was gone. You see her fear was justified--she would have been hit by someone in her home, most likely a parent, if she went home and the egg was missing. My immediate thought was--"It's just an egg, for heavens sake." I learned later that the cost of the egg was just a few pesos, which also made me angry that she had been so scared to go home and tell her mom what happened. I know that this scenario is carried out all over the world, including the U.S., so much injustice and fear. But when it is right there in your face, it seems overwhelming to think of it. I want to think that all moms love and treat their children like I feel they should. Then the Lord spoke to my heart and said, " I feel the same when I see my children being mistreated and I wonder why all of you don't treat each other like I feel you should."
I have heard many times in my life that our God grieves for His people. That day, while I was filled with much sadness for that little girl, He reminded me that He was also sad for her fear and wanted her to feel special and loved. The same way He wants all of us to feel. There is not a doubt in my mind that this is the place the Lord has called me to serve at this time in my life. While there are days when I think about my life prior to this move and even wish for the air conditioning as well as my Sweet Frog frozen yogurt and time with my family and friends, I know this is what I am to do. I am to serve my God with gladness and joy, grieve with Him over the sadness and injustice in this world, and show His love to those He places in front of me each day. To speak hope into their hearts and share the wonderful news of Jesus. That is what He told the disciples to do years ago and that is what He calls us to do today. We will become paralyzed with our own fear if we look around at the world today and see all of the problems. We may think, why bother, my effort will make no difference. I want to tell you today that it will make a difference to that one person God wants you to speak life into. Look around and see who God wants you to speak with today. Love the ones that He gives you and we will make a difference one child of God at a time.
"And
I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling
place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”....Revelation 21:3-4
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