My kids - Hard to handle? naahhh... haha - actually, they can be extremely challenging sometimes. It is difficult enough trying to talk to a 5 year old when there is a language barrier, but when you add on top of that that most of these kids have barely had any regularity, consistency, discipline other than physical punishment, or proper nurturing, it can be an overwhelming thing. And that is why every good moment matters and is an encouragement.
Yesterday, I handed a boy at the door something and he walked away without saying thank you. Melissa called out to him, "You can't say thank you?" A minute later, he poked his head in again and said, very sincerely, "Gracias, Jenna." What a simple thing it is! But to know this young man is to know that this simple response and action is a huge thing for him. Every child is different. Each has different challenges... And God is working. Sometimes interactions can be so frustrating because you feel like nothing is getting through and what is the point if they are never going to change (does this sound familiar?), but then God shares with me a moment with one of the kids that says, "See? They do hear. They are learning. They do see. And they will know me." Last week, I reminded 6 year old Wisguebi to have patience waiting for his turn on the bike. He looked up at me, got a thoughtful look and then in his sweet stutter told me that he also wanted love and joy and peace. We have been going through the Fruit of the Spirit for Sunday school... Thank you, Lord.
On one hand, I say that I have the easiest job and ask why God would put me here to love on kids and get colored pictures all the time and hugs and smiles and to fix booboos and laugh together! This is the greatest! ... But I have been learning more recently, as the kids get more comfortable with me and realize that I am here as an adult with some authority, rather than just a friend and a play thing, that life is challenging. Sometimes it is just overwhelming and exhausting and frustrating to have four or five kids hanging on you all the time, calling your name in four different directions, needing you for eight different things, teasing, touching, pulling, jumping, shouting, crying... haha!
This is my reality.
But then I have a magic moment -
