Most Precious Ones

How could you not love them?

For many people, children, at best are a nuisance. For too many others, they are like trash –unwanted, disposable, and easy targets of violence and abuse of every kind. Many of the over two hundred children who live in Cidade dos Meninos, a loving Christian community just outside of Campinas, SP, that provides loving homes, school, social activities, church, vocational training and “hope without limits,” were at-risk children rescued from societies’ discard heap.

Several Intercultural Studies students from Mount Vernon Nazarene University were privileged to do their Intercultural Practicum in this environment. It is hard to imagine any ministry closer to the heart of God than caring for and educating children who have been rescued from violence, abandonment, and hopelessness. Helping to prepare meals, or serving at meal time, or playing with the children after class may hardly seem like significant mission activities. At such times, Jesus’ words “whatever you did for the least of these you have done to me,” reminds us that a smile, an English lesson, a romp on the playground, a stern no to misbehavior, a hug, anything done for these precious ones is ministering to Jesus himself.

On Wednesday, May 7, I had the privilege of getting up before 5:30 AM to catch the local bus to get into the city in time to ride the workers’ bus to Cidade dos Meninos with MVNU students, Laura Erskine, Miranda Stull, Deirdre Mc Cord, Chase Penix, and Scott Brubaker. What a day! It was long, it was tiring, it was mostly non-stop busy. When we came back into the city after dark, my heart got left behind. No, the kids didn’t steal it, I gladly gave it to them. You see I got to play with some of the kids. I tasted the meal several of the teen boys had proudly prepared in their cooking class. I took dozens of pictures of precious little ones, they took our pictures with them, and they posed, smiled, and soaked up the love that we gladly shared with them. We didn’t get to sing and dance with them in chapel because it was held on Friday, but we have been told that as young as they are, many of them have already learned to love and worship God.

In a very profound way, Wednesday was a day of worship for me. Throughout the day I often prayed for the children, I thanked God for the men and women who have understood the significance of their gift to God by taking care of, teaching, and serving the children. No missionary calling could ever be any more important or have any longer lasting results than the investment in the lives of hundreds of children who now have “hope without limits.”

Serving at the Faculdade Nazarena do Brasil

Some people just think about things, or about doing things, but others just go ahead and get things done. That is how I see the ICS students who are here in Brazil this semester. They don't just want to think about it. They want to get on with it by getting their hands and clothes dirty and learning in the process. This week they pitched in and helped the Brazilian students who were cleaning out an old warehouse, then went on to their Practicum or other class activities. Just in case you were tempted to think that I just watched them or took pictures while they worked, I want to assure you that I also helped out, and even got smacked in the forehead with a piece of lumber in the process (my own carelessness, for sure).

Last evening, these same students went out to help distribute tracts and hot soup to the homeless men sleeping on the streets of Campinas. We were also able to distribute food to several mothers and their children on the street. We purposely did not take pictures. We are not here to collect photos, or memories, or even chalk up intercultural activities on our resumes. This is not a practice run, nor even preparation for the future. We are here now to serve alongside of our Brazilian brothers and sisters who actively represent the Kingdom of God in this place. The students did not hang back, either. They boldly prayed for the people as they were served. They shook the hands and expressed their love and compassion for these men and women who just happen to be more badly affected by their own sinful choices or those of others than most people.

Again, though, we were reminded of grace. But for the grace of God we too could be just as sadly affected by sin, injustice, and evil. We were saddened when we finally ran out of soup and bread around 10:00 PM and had to leave before taking care of everyone's needs. It was such a stark reminder of how many still wait for someone to respond with hope. How many people? How many places? How long must they wait? Where are all of the young people who offer to serve the Lord whereever?

One of my Brazilian brothers reminded me last evening how prone we are to complain about our personal circumstances and "problems." But when we get out on the street and get involved in ministry, it is so much easier to recognize how blessed we are and how grace filled we are as we serve the neediest people in society. By John Hall Jr.