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| Billy and his kite |
Thursday, November 1-Flying Kites
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 (NIV)
November 1 is All Saints Day in Guatemala. It is the day when Guatemalans remember their deceased loved ones by decorating the cemeteries with flowers and wreaths. They also have picnics in the cemetery and sometimes, spend the night there. Another way they celebrate the day is by flying kites. Some Guatemalans believe that on Halloween, the souls of the dead are released from the tombs to travel around the world and that on All Saints Day, they must be guided back into their tombs. They fly kites, some very large and elaborately made of tissue paper, in the cemetery to show the souls where they need to return. While I believe that when we die, our souls are not left to wander the earth, but go directly to heaven or hell depending on whether we have given our lives to Jesus Christ, I do like seeing the kites and even flying them at the Malnutrition Center with the children. I was at the center this same time last year, so knew about the tradition. Before I left, I searched for kites and finally found them at the Dollar Store where I bought forty-two little ones for fifty cents each. I was also given two nice big kites that are supposed to fly even on days with little wind. On the morning of All Saints Day, we eagerly got out the kites along with some that another team member brought and took the older children including my little chicks outside for some fun. Unfortunately, there was no wind. Occasionally a faint breeze would blow through and we got all excited, but it was not enough to get even the lightest or most expertly designed to stay up in the air. I am not sure who was the most disappointed, the children or the adults, but we didn’t give up and instead, everyone began running down the road dragging kites behind them until they got enough speed to take flight. The bright colors looked so pretty against the blue October sky. Everyone was having fun, but once the person running stopped to rest, the kites immediately fell to the ground. In order to stay aloft, a lot of effort was required and before long, we were all too tired to fly them anymore. Out of breath and with red cheeks from all the exertion, we collapsed on the front where the children waited for their lunch. The meal was late being delivered, and as I watched them fall asleep at the table before their food arrived, I thought about how often in life, I run until I am exhausted trying to keep “all my kites in the air.” Trying to do ministry, work, or relationships on my own strength only results in exhaustion and failure. It is only when we ask God to breathe His life in us through the Holy Spirit, we get all the power we need and fresh wind to take us where we need to go.
Friday, November 2: Team Building
So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. Romans 12:5-8 (NIV)
Every mission trip is unique and most of it is due to the different team members. While we all want to serve however we can, we each have a plan of how we would like to spend our week. One trip, a woman brought dozens of handmade quilts to present to each child. She wanted time set aside to cover each child with a quilt while they slept. Another friend works with the gardens and the bees. Over time, she developed a bond with Basilo the gardener bringing him seeds and bee keeping supplies. Each trip, she comes with a list of chores to do outside keeping the garden weeded, checking on the chickens and setting up the bee hives. Another friend has a ministry to photograph the children. Unlike most American children who grow up being photographed in formal school portraits several times a year and whose parents have access to cameras to document special moments in their lives, children at the Malnutrition Center do not have that luxury. My friend brings her camera each trip as well as a photo printer. She takes pictures of the children, prints them and puts them in albums or file folders so that when they do go home, they and their children will have a record of how they grew while at the center. I have my own purpose looking for every opportunity to serve Nanny Christy. Others come to paint, do maintenance or construction. Some want to work in the kitchen. Others prefer to help only with the babies or older children. We all have our preferences when we arrive and some of them are very different from each other. But, when we begin to work together, our own personal goals are often set aside to meet the immediate needs of the children or nannies. Most all of the people I have worked with are willing to do whatever it takes to make sure that the Malnutrition Center is a place of love and encouragement. It is interesting to watch the team come together each week as we work as the body of Christ. Some hands plant seeds, wash dishes, change diapers. Some mouths sing songs, teach Bible stories. Some arms cuddle children, gather laundry, and hug a nanny. Some feet dance or run. Laps are a place of refuge and rest. But, none of us are the head. That role is reserved for Jesus Christ who we serve. At His direction, we come and at His direction, we take on whatever task He lays before us. Sometimes, we have to set aside our own desires, but sometimes, He grants us the work that we hope to do. For me, this week was one of service to Nanny Christy, but because we had a small team, it was also a time for getting on the floor with the children, loving them, singing with them, playing with them. It was the best of both worlds as I worked alongside Christy and loved the children. And most importantly, I met some wonderful likeminded people all willing to serve in whatever way God called them to do.
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