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Gozo, Risa y Sonrisas (Joy, Laughter, and Smiles)

Radiant smiles fill the room. Bubbling laughter travels across the yard. Excited shouts echo down the road. How could you turn away children who come running to see you immediately after school?

 

“But Jesus called them to Him saying, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.’” -Luke 18:16-17

 

    During our week in Belize, we witnessed 2 Corinthians 2:14-15 come to life: “But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” We quickly realized that ministry does not have to be something big or complicated. God speaks through His people when they simply be themselves. Yes, many Belizeans know Spanish better than English, but love in action speaks louder than words. For the majority of the time, we just spent time playing with the neighborhood kids, but that brought them joy. Yes, we gave the kids candy and beads, but I could tell that if we did not offer them those things, they still would have come. They knew they would have fun with us. They trusted us from the beginning. They believed that we were loving. We did not do anything impressive, yet they desired to be with us.

Down the road from our base camp lives a four-year-old boy named Alejandro. Often, he would walk over by himself. Always the first to come to VBS and the last to leave, he knew we would welcome him. He even returned each afternoon to play with the older kids who came after school. He only spoke Spanish, but he would tilt his head sideways just so and smile at us shyly. He sensed our love from the first day and wanted more. Just putting up posters around the neighborhood with us made him happy.

Two things that I will keep in my heart forever from this trip: the attraction of God’s love in action and the simple joy of children. Most of all, I hope to never forget the picture of joy etched in my mind from the precious children we spent time with during that week. I see God in their joy and sense Him in the love we shared with them. God alone produces the type of joy we observed and experienced during our time in Belize.

 

“You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” -Psalm 4:7

 

-Alisa Nipp for Belize Team 2017

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Jacob and Amber playing soccer with the boys at VBS

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Alexis and Alejandro

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Alisa with some of the girls at VBS

 

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Chepo, Elvin, and Jojan – these three came together to VBS every day

 

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Amber with new friends who came to play after school

 

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Jenny, playing with Mirella

 

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The kids and our team on the last day of VBS