The simplest things we take for granted can make such a huge impact on another person’s life.  Every day a parent, a friend, or co-worker will greet us warmly.  Often some one will affectionately place a hand on our arm or offer a smile or a warm embrace.  In the community where we interact we feel comfortable and loved.  We have our faith family to turn to in time of need.  Now imagine yourself in a culture or community devoid of such simple acts of acceptance and affection.

       I have had the opportunity this week to watch and participate as our youth have interacted with children and teens here in Jinotega.  Teen to teen is pretty normal, meeting new acquaintances, getting to know things about one another, finding common ground.  Sports and laughter are big this week between our youth and the youth in the schools at the camp this week.  Laughter is contagious and needs no translation.  But what I am struck by the most is the longing from the young ones for affection from our teens and adults.  I sat down on the gym floor and began to interact with a group of 4 or 5 girls and boys from 3 to 6 years old.  I used what Spanish I have and it was enough.  Soon they were just talking and I am nodding and they were loving the attention.  As our guys would play with the younger ones, soon Brandon and Stephen would have a pack chasing them around the schoolyard or the sport field.  I would then turn the other way and Dayse has Orrin by the hand leading him over to the side to play or Jackson stooping down focused only on the child clamoring for his attention at the moment.

     All of this seems very normal to us, but the thing that caught my attention was the impact that something as simple as unhurried attention was having on the children.  For whatever reason, in this culture, this type of attention is seldom seen.  One reason may be that older siblings become responsible for their younger siblings as young as 6 or 7 while mom and dad are out working.   “Children” parented many of these children and innocence was lost at an early age. 

     Pray for us this week that we will not grow tired of giving of ourselves, that we will be as Paul said, “poured out as a drink offering” upon these children who are thirsty for love and affection.  As pathfinders this week we are carriers of the banner of love and hope into a dark world.  Let us shine the light of hope through Jesus Chris to brighten the path for those Christ has given us.

“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill can not be hidden.”