A Flea

A couple of weeks ago I was accused, by someone I have never met, of being a liar, a hypocrite, stupid, and arrogant -- because I am a Christian.  I was startled by both the language used and the (typewritten) assault coming out of nowhere.  I paused to check for stupidity, arrogance, hypocrisy, and lies.   I am a sinner and I am weak so I do things I wish I hadn't.  I confess my sins, ask for forgiveness, and try not to do the same things again.  (I do. More confession...)  My personal theme song that plays in my head is "They will know we are Christians by our love."  In my humble, bumble way, I try to follow Christ by loving people.  (Often fail, but rarely on purpose.)  However, I was satisfied that the accusations were unfounded (especially since I don't know this person from Adam's house cat,) offered a message of peace and moved on.

Since then, I have been noticing the Christians around me.  Last week, was the annual prayer walk in which Dony, Jenny, and Franklin go to each of our locations, including every building at the Children's Home, to pray. They pray for the space and the people in the space.  Dulce and Gloria were at Casa LAMB with me when they arrived.  All of them have devoted their lives to serving God.  Their own lives are full of challenges that would paralyze most of us.  Nevertheless, they put their full trust in God and do their work with joy and love, and no whining!  I am in a constant state of learning about how to be faithful from them.

I attended my first devotional in Flor of the new school year.  Now we have 240 children!  Almost 100 more than last year!  The sound of their singing filled the soccer court, the community, and my heart.  The passion of the teachers and principal, the joy of the children as they sang praises to the Lord was overwhelming.  My own faith seems so lukewarm in comparison.

"Jesús!"

At the Children's Home, the church leadership are children!  Daniel, Carmen, Silvia, Julio, and Mirza are Sunday School teachers, Praise Band leaders, Assistants to Suzy for Baptism classes, lead an intercessory prayer group, help with Confirmation class, and participate in Discipleship class.  I don't do all that now, never mind when I was a teenager!  Their commitment is stunning.

My current team and I have unexpected house guests.  Maribel is in the hospital so we are caring for her 3 children - 5, 3, and 6 months.  I asked Dulce and Gloria if they would help.  Dulce has the baby with her and likely will be up several times during the night.  I asked Berlin if the children could spend Thursday and Friday in Sala Cuna while I am working with the team.  They all have heavy loads already. Their reaction to taking on 3 more children?  Huge smiles!  Of course!  Their self-sacrificing love inspires me.

Through the course of my days here, I meet random people who shine God's love through their eyes, words, and smiles.  These are the poorest of the poor, who have nothing.  Nothing as far as material goods, that is.  They are wealthy in faith, hope, and love.

And then, of course, there is Suzy...

Next to all these giants in faith, I am but a flea.  But, I hop along, trying not to annoy too many people while learning from these many role models.

Lord, please help me show I am Christian by my love.