James says in James 2:5, “Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?” When my team and I visited a Carepoint on Friday, I was reminded of this verse because I had read the book of James during one of my quiet times at Training Camp. As I looked into the eyes of those children, I was looking into the eyes of those who were chosen by God. He chose these little souls to inherit the kingdom of God because they are his adopted children; he loved them so much that they became his sons and daughters. These tiny bodies yearned to be held, kissed, and rocked in the dirt.
When I first stepped out of the van, many grabbed my hand or put their hands up (A gesture meaning, “Please hold me.”) So I hoisted these little beans in my arms and tickled their noses with mine. These precious, precious humans who are considered the bottom of the world held so much more joy and worth than even I could know. But God knows. He knew when he said, “Let the little children come to me,” that they just wanted some reassurance of the Father’s love. What better way to do that than to sit those sons and daughters down and say, “I love you so much. And Jesus loves you even more.” It doesn’t matter that I don’t speak a lot of siSwati. It doesn’t matter that I’m a really bad soccer player. A smile and a hand squeeze can break through the language barrier. A body covered with dirt, sweat, and exhaustion can prove that you did indeed try to play soccer for a few hours just to entertain the kids. The only language that I need to speak and the only action that I need to do is love. No money, no thing, and no place can make me feel as happy as I am covered in red dust and sitting with the Lord Jesus as a small hand is held in mine.
Written by: Noelle
