Here's what Rachel said about the trip:
As we started boarding the plane that would begin our journey to Mexico, I was curious as to what God was going to teach me on this trip. I had prayed throughout the weeks prior to the trip that God would teach me something and renew my passion for Him. Well, God most definitely answered my prayers. Throughout the whole week God kept showing me over and over again the joy these children have in their hearts, the love that they so eagerly pour out on everybody, and the selfless attitudes they have.
Every time you looked at one of the children they had the biggest smile on their face. They were so joyful and content with the very small amount of toys they had to play with. I never heard a complaint about playing soccer with a deflated basketball. I never saw a child unhappy because there wasn’t a bicycle for all of them to ride. John 15:11 says “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” These children definitely had the joy of the Lord in their hearts. We arrived on a Saturday so the next morning we were able to attend church with the children and staff. While there, they took an offering. So many of the boys got up out of their seats with a huge smile, skipped up to the offering plate, and dropped their little coins in. These children have nothing and yet they were so happy and grateful for what little they did have and gave that back to God with cheerful hearts.
I know all of us are familiar with 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 which says “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” A lot of the children at the ranch have come from abusive backgrounds. Some have just been abandoned. Even though these kids hadn’t been shown true love, they displayed true love. The older teens living on the ranch were very patient with the younger ones when working on a craft or acting as an interpreter for those of us who didn’t speak much Spanish. There was one afternoon on the trip where I wasn’t feeling so great emotionally, and being the cry baby I am started crying. Two of the younger boys saw me and gave me the biggest hugs and smiles. One of them dug in his pocket until he found a tissue for me to use. The rest of that day they kept coming back to me smiling and asking if I was better. This may seem like a small act, but it meant so much to me that young boys would come up to me concerned about how I am feeling. They weren’t concerned about missing the soccer game or missing time with their friends. They were more concerned about loving me and asking me how I was doing.
John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one that this, that someone lays down his life for his friends.” Now although no children gave up their lives for me, they did sacrifice time to serve me and others of us that went on the trip. There was one day on the trip where I was climbing up on ladders to work on caulking. Two of the older boys came over to watch and as they saw me climbing up on the ladder one of them came over to support it so it wouldn’t fall over. All the other children were playing games but these two decided to come help serve me. I also found out later that day that a few of the other older boys had gone to help with the welding. They didn’t have to do that and as far as I know they weren’t asked to help. But they were so willing to help “the Americans” that they didn’t think about what they would like to do, but instead came to serve us. The very last night of our trip, we had a bonfire. One of the younger boys, Kevin, had fallen asleep in Regina’s lap. An older boy, Luis, very gently carried Kevin off to bed when Regina asked. Luis wasn’t upset that his time with his friends got interrupted. He very willingly and lovingly got up to care for Kevin by putting him in bed.
I could keep going on with examples of how these children were joyful, loving, and selfless, but that could take a while and I want to let you guys know how these examples taught me. So often I am complaining that my sister took all the hot water in the shower, or upset because I can’t find anything to eat or wear. God really showed me on this trip to be grateful with what I do have. Which is so much! There is absolutely no reason for me to complain about my life. I have been so very blessed! Another thing I was taught was love. Especially towards my family. God has placed me in my family for a reason. I have three younger sisters that are looking up to me to care for them and encourage them. So often I am too busy thinking of myself and what I would like to do that I completely ignore them or am harsh with them. One final thing I was taught was selflessness. Newsflash for Rachel! The world really doesn’t revolve around you. God has taught me that I need to look outside of myself and look out for others that I can serve. As our theme verse for youth group says “and He died for all that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Corinthians 5:15) Christ has saved me so that I can live for Him and give glory to His name by serving Him and His people. I am so thankful to God for sending me on this trip and teaching me so much in just one week. But, even beyond that, I can’t thank God enough for sending His son to die for me so that I can be joyful in Him, shine His love, and live my life for Him not myself. To God be the glory.
Posted on
Sunday, May 3, 2009
by Steve Whitacre
filed under