I don’t want to JUST pray for someone, JUST say hi, JUST give a hug, JUST hold a child and JUST do ministry. I want to pray in the name of Jesus, say hi in the name of Jesus, give a hug, hold a child and do…LIVE ministry IN THE NAME OF JESUS…with the touch of Jesus, eyes of Jesus, and arms of Jesus. In the name of Love, for loves-sake. The question that I have to ask myself is do I want others to know LOVE? Do I want to unlock people? Do I want to see Kingdom come on earth as it is in Heaven? When I think about those questions, now, my answer is different than one month ago. A month ago I would have said, “well, yes, of course,” but not really meant it in action. Now, I am awoken at night while I’m sleeping to pray for Jesus to encounter people both back home and here in the Philippines. My heart screams “YESSSS, YESS, YESS, Jesus! I want to see Kingdom come, I want to unlock people, I want people to know this Love…to know you.” I desire for people to know the name of Jesus.
Waiting on the Lord and Byron
One day in the village we were just waiting upon the Lord, asking Him to show up because we had nothing. As we prayed and waited He brought us a few children right to our laps…literally. haha Ever since this moment some of these children we encountered that day have absolutely stolen our hearts. Byron, specifically, has stolen my heart. He is 6 or 7 years old, with rotting teeth and holes in his clothes, a dad working in Dubai and a mom who works non stop at a bakery in the village. We don’t communicate through words because we don’t know each others language, yet we communicate so much. A lady in the village said that it’s so good that we come to play with and sit with Byron and his brother, Rance because their parents do not. She said it’s good we are hugging them and holding them, because they don’t get that affection. These words coming out of her mouth were hard to swallow, but then I remembered that Jesus has so graciously allowed a little ole gal from Tennessee to come to the Philippines, full of 90 million people…to come specifically to Byron. Jesus comes to Byron.
The Father has taught me much about Himself through sitting with these little ones that first day and continues to do so each time I’m with him. You see, these little guys love to just sit with us and be held. It is my joy to hold them. Byron takes my arms and wraps them around himself to hold him tighter, he then kisses my cheek. It is my joy to hold him tighter and kiss him back. I love singing over him that Jesus loves him and he repeats it right back to me. Just like when I say, “oh Jesus, I love you.” He says…”daughter, no, i love yooooou!” Oh how great the Father’s love for us. The Father loves to make us laugh. He loves to listen to us laugh. He loves to play around and be a kid with us. It is His delight to stare into our eyes because He is so infatuated with you and I. His love for us is greater than our love for Him or anyone else for that matter.
Don’t get too busy. Don’t just pass people by as you go throughout your day. There is more in front of you, if you just open your eyes and look. If only you take hold of what’s in front of you. I pray for myself and you, too that we don’t get so caught up with ourselves and our own schedule and to-do list that we miss out on the God of the universe that takes thought over YOU. Take each step in the name of Jesus, wake up and go to sleep in the name of Jesus, do your job in the name of Jesus, order coffee in the name of Jesus, listen and speak in the name of Jesus…be and do all in the name of Jesus Christ.
The phrase “Jesus comes to Byron” pierced my heart. He didn’t just come for all of us–He came for each of us. And His coming is not past tense! He comes.
Loved this, Laura Beth!
You’re doing God’s work. I pray these little guys learn to love others from you. So sorry their parents have no time for them. God is good! Love you
LB! I am praying that you continue to get the opportunity to LOVE with your whole heart. That Byron would feel the presence and hope of Jesus as you tangibly care for him. So grateful that you are getting this incredible opportunity. The Philippines was at the top of my list when I was on the World Race. This reminds me of a sweet little girl, Neka, that God gave me the opportunity to love.
http://katieandbillyswan.theworldrace.org/?filename=1-poverty-series-an-abandoned-girl
http://katieandbillyswan.theworldrace.org/?filename=god-is-ridiculous-part-2-and-3
Be encouraged!!
YES AMEN!!
bringing tears to my eyes
sweet Byron…. Thank You Jesus that You seek us each and seek us all..
Thank you for being His love LB!
Amen!
Mommy Laura Beth!:)