Waiting Patiently

I just returned from a week of extreme physical labor with my mission team.  My body ached and cried out to me every day that I climbed out of my bunk bed.  Knowing that I was part of being the “hands and feet of Jesus”, serving, praying, singing, clapping, crying, loving and rejoicing with my team and “Texas family” made me forget those physical pains.

Today I will share just a glimpse of what we did one day.  Our team went to deliver Christmas gifts to two Mexico churches that we are supporting.  It was an amazing joy and love that overflowed in my heart to see these children wait patiently for their names to be called. 

Once they received their gift, they had to wait and wait and wait and wait until every one of their names were called. For a child that must of seemed like an eternity!  Then, after a short word, they were given the go ahead and the room echoed cheers and screams of joy for the new gift they received.

Tears flowed from my eyes as I searched for the girl and little boy who would open the gifts I purchased.   I packed a school bag full of supplies into a medium size box and I purposely used red shiny paper so that I would be able to spot the gift.  I found the girl right away, so I hugged her and told her as best that I could in English, that gift, came from my heart to hers.  Here we are with our photo taken together, but then, finding the little boy was not so easy.  

I tried taking a photo of him receiving it, but he ran so fast back to his mother that I only caught the back of his head.  So I had to be a detective and search for the “striped, plaid shirt that was in my photo.

Remember the days when we had to take the film from our camera into Walgreen's  or a photo store to get it developed before we saw the photos?  We had to wait two or three days back then, or more.  Now you can get them developed within 24 hours.   My smart phone camera is awesome. I can see him instantly after taking the picture.  Finally I found him with his mother in the court yard, but he didn't have my red papered gift; he was playing with his brother’s new gift!  I don’t know his name, but he was so sweet!

Later I learned that for some of the children, it was their very first Christmas gift they ever received!  Wow!  That is mind boggling!  Well, after all that excitement we were even more blessed to serve the whole church a meal out in the courtyard!   I was too busy serving them for a photo, but God received the glory and we received Joy and hearts full of love!

Our children waited so patiently for their gift and just like them, we are waiting for Jesus Christ's return - God's greatest gift!  

Revelations 22:12 says “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done."

May we remember to be watchful and earnestly seeking Him for His return!  I hope you find Joy in serving Jesus as much as I am!

Blessings!

Joani